Iron.

   British scholarly research shows that, after 60 years of age, the blood vessels of the inner ear are likely to show evidence of hardening; that the blood vessels within the inner wall of the ear tend to narrow; and that the amount of blood flowing though the area diminishes. This can cause a diminishment in hearing. However timely supplementation with zinc can be effective. Zinc can dilate the capillaries, soften the walls of red blood cells, guaranteeing the supply of blood to the ear and effectively guarding against hearing loss. These scholars recommend that people ought to pay attention to foods containing an abundant supply of iron starting in their middle years. Foods such as black wood ear mushroom, purple radish, spinach, leafy mustard, sesame seeds, kelp, animal liver and kidneys, and beans are a good source of iron and can guard against age related deafness.

Zinc

   Modern physiological research has discovered that the amount of zinc within the cochlea is considerably greater than in the surrounding organ tissue. However by the age of 60, the amount of zinc within the cochlea has significantly diminished, affecting the functioning of the cochlea, thereby causing a decrease in the capacity to hear. This research suggests that people should take a sufficient amount of zinc. Foods that contain an abundant supply of zinc include fish, soy bean, Chinese cabbage, radish, and sea foods.

Vitamin D

   Age-related deafness is also related to abnormal metabolism of vitamin D. One American research group studied 56 people with age-related deafness and discovered that their serum calcium was lower than the norm. In investigating the cause they found that this group had an insufficient amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements were administered for 6-10 months, yielding significant results. Vitamin D belongs to the category of fat-soluble vitamins, the most important aspects of it are the components vitamins D2 and D3. Edible fungus such as mushrooms, flat mushroom, straw mushroom, tremella, and hedgehog mushroom all contain a good quantity of vitamin D3. Our skin and fat tissue contains a chemical 7-dehydrocholesterol, which forms vitamin D3 after being exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun. Therefore receiving a certain amount of sunlight can also result in the creation of a certain amount of vitamin D3.

Moderation in eating

   Studies  in China have shown that moderating of our intake of food can increase our life-span. Mice were fed on an every other day basis, resulting in a significant drop in body weight dropped. As a result, not only did their life-span increase significantly (40% longer), but also their electrocochleogram results were better then the control group's. Therefore, moderating our eating can delay the onset of age-related deafness. The prolongation of  life and protection of hearing quite possibly is due to this metabolic mechanism.

Reducing Blood lipids (fats)

   Tests repeatedly show that eating high-fat content foods can cause an elevation in blood lipids, after which dysaudia (hearing loss) occurs. A survey of 340 older people with high blood lipids showed that the rate of age- related deafness was significantly higher among those with high blood lipids than those with normal levels. It is believed that this elevated blood lipids affects the blood circulation within the ear increasing the amount of peroxide within the inner ear. Therefore decreasing blood lipids and decreasing fatty foods also aids in the prevention of old-age related deafness.

A functional translation of "Adjusting your diet to guard against hearing loss" by Gu Yue in the yao shan zhi liao January, 2003 published by China Journal, 2003, translated by Jim Chaffee MOAN L Ac.