Can healthy lifestyle changes really influence tinnitus?

A recently-published randomized controlled study evaluated the influence of healthy dietary changes and increased physical activity on the severity of tinnitus among 63 overweight people with bothersome tinnitus. The participants were divided into three groups: healthy diet + increased physical activity, just increased physical activity, and a control group. All participants were given a pedometer to record their daily step counts. The subjects in the physical activity groups were encouraged to take 10,000 steps per day. The subjects in the healthy diet + increased physical activity group were given an individualized diet plan for 12 weeks based on common nutritional recommendations (10-20% protein, 45-60% carbohydrates, and 20-35% fats).

Subjects in the group with healthy diet changes + increased physical activity not only lost weight (an average of 13 lbs over the 12 weeks) but their Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score fell by an average of 13.3 points (a change of 6 points is considered to be clinically significant) and their tinnitus loudness level decreased by over 16dB. The study subjects in this group also experienced significant improvements in measurements of depression and quality of life. All of these changes were statistically significant compared to the control group.

These tinnitus improvements are greater than what was achieved by the highly-anticipated auditory-somatosensory stimulation device developed by Susan Shore's group at the University of Michigan.

This is more solid scientific evidence supporting the Alleviate approach. Learn more at www.AlleviateTinnitusTherapy.com

Ozbey-Yucel U, et al. Auris Nasus Larynx 2023 Feb;50(1):40-47