What vitamin helps tinnitus go away?

October 22, 2025 •

3 min read

According to one national survey, tinnitus symptoms affect over 16% of adults in the United States. This persistent ringing or buzzing often leads sufferers on a quest for relief, and many wonder: what vitamin helps tinnitus go away? While no single supplement is a guaranteed cure, research has explored the potential connection between nutritional deficiencies and auditory symptoms.

Quick Summary

Studies show mixed results on vitamins helping tinnitus, but links to deficiencies in B12, D, and magnesium exist. Supplementation may offer relief for some patients with a clinical deficiency, but it is not a cure for all, and robust scientific evidence is limited.

Key Points

No Universal Cure: No single vitamin has been proven to make tinnitus go away for everyone; effectiveness is highly individual.
Check for Deficiencies: If you have tinnitus, a doctor can test for deficiencies in vitamins like B12, D, and magnesium, as supplementation may help those with clinically low levels.
Consider Vitamin B12 and D: Research suggests correlations between low levels of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D and tinnitus, but results on supplementation are mixed and require more study.
Focus on Proven Strategies: Rely more on evidence-based methods like Sound Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which help manage the symptoms rather than cure the cause.
Prioritize Professional Advice: Always consult a healthcare provider, like an audiologist or otolaryngologist, before starting any supplement to rule out underlying causes and determine the best course of action.
Protect Your Hearing: Preventing noise-induced hearing damage is key to managing tinnitus and is generally more effective than relying on unproven supplements.

Understanding the Link Between Vitamins and Tinnitus

Before exploring specific supplements, it is crucial to understand that tinnitus is a complex symptom, not a disease. It can arise from various causes, including noise exposure, age-related hearing loss, medications, and underlying health conditions. Research linking nutritional factors to tinnitus is often contradictory or inconclusive. The American Academy of Otolaryngology advises against recommending supplements for bothersome tinnitus due to lack of evidence, yet research into specific nutrient deficiencies continues.

Vitamin B12: The Nerve Protector

Vitamin B12 is essential for a healthy nervous system and a deficiency can lead to nerve damage that might contribute to tinnitus and hearing loss.

Evidence: Studies on B12 and tinnitus show mixed results, with some linking deficiency to tinnitus and reporting improvement with supplementation, while other controlled trials found no significant effect on severity. A large national study also found no significant association between low B12 and tinnitus.
Best for: Individuals with a confirmed, severe B12 deficiency and tinnitus.

Vitamin D: More Than Bone Health

Vitamin D plays a role in calcium metabolism and nerve transmission, with receptors found in the inner ear.

Evidence: A 2021 study found tinnitus patients had significantly lower vitamin D levels, especially those with more severe symptoms. However, controlled trials on vitamin D supplementation in non-deficient individuals are lacking.
Best for: Those with a diagnosed vitamin D deficiency and tinnitus.

Magnesium: The Inner Ear Protector

Magnesium is important for nerve health and blood circulation and may protect the inner ear from noise damage.

Evidence: Some studies show a link between lower magnesium levels and subjective tinnitus, suggesting a potential role. However, studies on the effects of supplementation are conflicting.
Best for: May be considered for those with magnesium deficiency or noise-induced tinnitus, though more research is needed.

Other Nutrients and Antioxidants

Research into other nutrients shows similarly inconclusive results.

Zinc: Linked to inner ear health, but supplementation didn't improve tinnitus in trials.
Antioxidants: Vitamins A, C, and E have been studied, but trials didn't show significant effects.
Ginkgo Biloba: A popular herb, but meta-analyses found it no more effective than placebo.

Comparison of Vitamins and Tinnitus Treatment


Nutrient	Proposed Mechanism	Evidence Level (Deficiency)	Evidence Level (General Population)	Best for...
Vitamin B12	Nerve health, myelin synthesis	Mixed: Some correlation in deficiency	Contradictory: No effect in non-deficient studies	Confirmed B12 deficiency
Vitamin D	Calcium metabolism, inner ear function	Some correlation found in case studies	Limited: No strong evidence for non-deficient	Diagnosed Vitamin D deficiency
Magnesium	Protects inner ear from noise, improves blood flow	Some correlation in deficiency studies	Conflicting: No strong evidence across studies	Magnesium deficiency, noise exposure
Zinc	Antioxidant, nervous system transmission	Mixed: Some link to deficiency	Ineffective: No benefit in controlled trials	None, not recommended

Beyond Vitamins: Proven Management Strategies

If vitamins don't provide relief, other therapies have shown more consistent results.

Sound Therapy: Using white noise or masking devices can distract from tinnitus. Hearing aids can also help if hearing loss is present.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps retrain the brain's reaction to tinnitus, reducing its impact.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): Combines sound therapy and counseling to help the brain habituate to the sound.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Managing stress, improving sleep, avoiding loud noise, and limiting caffeine and alcohol can help reduce triggers.
Medical Evaluation: An audiologist or otolaryngologist can diagnose the cause and create a personalized plan. The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) is a good resource for information [ata.org].

Conclusion: No Simple Cure

While deficiencies in vitamins like B12, D, and magnesium are associated with tinnitus in some cases, correcting them may only help a subset of patients and is not a universal cure. The most reliable approach to managing bothersome tinnitus involves medical evaluation, proven therapies like CBT and sound therapy, and targeted lifestyle changes. Always consult a healthcare provider before taking supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some studies have found a correlation between low vitamin B12 levels and tinnitus, particularly in those with noise-induced hearing loss. However, other trials show no significant effect from B12 supplementation on tinnitus severity, suggesting a definitive link or universal treatment effect is not established.

Magnesium is thought to protect the inner ear and improve blood flow. While some research shows a link between low magnesium levels and tinnitus, studies on supplementation have produced conflicting results and are not conclusive.

Some studies have found a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in tinnitus patients. This suggests a possible link, but more high-quality research is needed to determine if supplementation can effectively treat the condition for all patients.

There is no single "best" supplement. Research on popular options like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and magnesium shows mixed or inconclusive results. Experts generally recommend focusing on proven management strategies instead of supplements.

Supplements are not strictly regulated like prescription drugs and can carry risks. They can cause side effects and interfere with other medications. Always consult a healthcare provider before taking any supplement for tinnitus.

Proven management strategies include Sound Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), and using hearing aids if hearing loss is present. These methods focus on retraining your brain's perception of the sound, making it less bothersome.

Yes, a medical evaluation including blood tests for potential deficiencies (like B12) is a wise step. If a deficiency is found, addressing it under medical supervision may be part of your overall management plan.