Myth-buster
A systematic review of 612 people found lower vitamin B12 levels tied to worse hearing tests — but the same review saw no sign that treatment or age mattered.
This review suggests a link between B12 deficiency and hearing loss, but because the underlying studies didn't test supplementation directly and found no effect of age or treatment, the real-world takeaway is murkier than a simple 'low B12 hurts hearing.'
Researchers pooled data from several studies involving 612 people and saw that those with lower vitamin B12 levels tended to have worse hearing thresholds — a sign of hearing loss at various frequencies. However, the same review also found that age and treatment status didn't significantly change the picture, and the effect was small. Since this is one of the first systematic looks at this specific link, the evidence is still too thin to conclude that raising B12 would improve hearing.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Vitamin B12 for Reduced Hearing Threshold — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Systematic Review
- n = 612
- 2025-01-11
- Ear, nose, & throat journal
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.