Researchers tested whether adding vitamin D supplements to standard hearing loss treatment could help people recover better. They studied 101 patients with sudden hearing loss who also had low vitamin D levels. Half received standard treatment alone, while the other half also took vitamin D supplements for 10 days. The group taking vitamin D showed much better hearing improvement and less ringing in their ears, both after 10 days and again at 3 months. This suggests that vitamin D might be an important missing piece for people with both low vitamin D and sudden hearing loss.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding vitamin D supplements to regular hearing loss treatment helps people recover their hearing better when they also have low vitamin D levels
  • Who participated: 101 adults admitted to a hospital in China with sudden hearing loss and low vitamin D (measured in their blood). They were split into two equal groups, with one group getting extra vitamin D and the other getting standard treatment only
  • Key finding: After 10 days, 82% of people taking vitamin D with standard treatment showed hearing improvement, compared to only 53% taking standard treatment alone. This difference stayed strong at 3 months (76% vs. 47%). People taking vitamin D also had less ear ringing.
  • What it means for you: If you suddenly lose hearing and have low vitamin D, adding vitamin D supplements to your regular treatment might help you recover better. However, this is one study in one hospital, so talk to your doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical studies. Researchers took 101 patients with sudden hearing loss and low vitamin D levels and randomly split them into two groups—like flipping a coin to decide who got what treatment. One group (51 people) received the standard treatment for hearing loss: steroid medication and ginkgo biloba extract. The other group (50 people) received the same standard treatment plus vitamin D supplements (1500-2000 IU daily) for 10 days.

The researchers measured hearing using a special test called pure tone audiometry, which plays different sounds at different volumes to see what you can hear. They also measured ear ringing using a questionnaire called the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. They checked these measurements at the start, after 10 days, and again at 3 months.

Because this was a randomized controlled trial with a control group (the group without vitamin D), it’s a reliable way to see if vitamin D actually made a difference, rather than just assuming improvement happened because of the vitamin D.

This study design is important because it helps prove that vitamin D actually caused the improvement, not just coincidence or other factors. By randomly assigning people to groups and comparing them, researchers can be more confident that the vitamin D was responsible for the better results. The fact that they measured hearing multiple times over 3 months also shows whether improvements lasted or were just temporary.

This study has several strengths: it was randomized (reducing bias), had a control group for comparison, measured outcomes at multiple time points, and had clear inclusion criteria (all patients had low vitamin D). However, it was conducted at only one hospital in China, so results might differ in other populations. The study was relatively small (101 people), which means results should be confirmed with larger studies. The researchers didn’t mention whether participants or doctors knew who was getting vitamin D, which could affect results if they expected it to work.

What the Results Show

The vitamin D group showed dramatically better hearing recovery. After just 10 days, 82% of people taking vitamin D showed meaningful hearing improvement, compared to only 53% of those on standard treatment alone. When researchers measured actual hearing levels, the vitamin D group improved by an average of 29.3 decibels (a measure of sound loudness), while the standard-only group improved by 14.2 decibels—more than double the improvement.

These benefits didn’t disappear after 3 months. At the 3-month follow-up, 76% of the vitamin D group still showed good hearing recovery compared to 47% of the standard-only group. The hearing improvement measurements also stayed stronger in the vitamin D group (25.1 dB vs. 12.5 dB improvement).

People in the vitamin D group also experienced more relief from tinnitus (ringing in the ears). After 10 days, 83% of the vitamin D group reported improvement in their tinnitus compared to 71% of the standard-only group. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

At 3 months, the vitamin D group showed a much greater reduction in tinnitus severity scores (27.5 point reduction vs. 13.9 points), suggesting their ear ringing bothered them much less.

The study found that vitamin D supplementation was safe and well-tolerated—no serious side effects were reported in either group. The fact that benefits were sustained at 3 months suggests that vitamin D’s effects aren’t just temporary but may help with longer-term recovery. The improvement in both hearing and tinnitus together suggests vitamin D may work on multiple aspects of hearing loss, not just one symptom.

Previous research has suggested that vitamin D deficiency might be linked to hearing problems, but this is one of the first studies to test whether adding vitamin D actually improves hearing recovery in people with sudden hearing loss. The results align with earlier research showing vitamin D’s role in inner ear health and inflammation control. However, most previous studies were smaller or didn’t compare vitamin D to a control group, so this study provides stronger evidence.

This study was conducted at only one hospital in China with 101 patients, so results might not apply to all populations or countries. The study didn’t track whether people were actually taking their vitamin D supplements as prescribed. Researchers didn’t mention whether participants and doctors knew who was receiving vitamin D, which could influence results if they expected it to work. The study only followed people for 3 months, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. Finally, all participants had low vitamin D, so we don’t know if vitamin D helps people with normal vitamin D levels.

The Bottom Line

If you experience sudden hearing loss and have low vitamin D (confirmed by blood test), ask your doctor about adding vitamin D supplementation (around 1500-2000 IU daily) to your standard hearing loss treatment. This appears to significantly improve recovery chances. However, this recommendation is based on one study, so discuss it with an ear specialist (otolaryngologist) before starting. Confidence level: Moderate—this is promising evidence, but larger studies in different populations would strengthen these findings.

This research is most relevant to people who have experienced sudden hearing loss and have been found to have low vitamin D levels. It may also interest people with chronic tinnitus and low vitamin D. People with normal vitamin D levels should not assume vitamin D supplements will help their hearing based on this study. Anyone considering vitamin D supplementation should consult their doctor, especially if they take other medications or have kidney problems.

Based on this study, you might expect to see meaningful hearing improvement within 10 days of starting vitamin D supplementation combined with standard treatment. However, maximum benefit appears to develop over 3 months, so patience is important. Don’t expect overnight results, but the study suggests consistent improvement over the first few weeks.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you’re taking vitamin D for hearing loss, track your daily vitamin D dose (in IU), any changes in hearing clarity (rate on a scale of 1-10), and tinnitus severity (how much ear ringing bothers you on a scale of 1-10). Log these daily or weekly to see patterns over time.
  • Set a daily reminder to take your vitamin D supplement at the same time each day (like with breakfast). Use the app to log when you take it, creating accountability and ensuring you don’t miss doses. This consistency is important for seeing results.
  • Use the app to track hearing and tinnitus symptoms weekly over 3 months. Create a simple chart showing your progress over time. Share this data with your doctor at follow-up appointments to objectively show whether the vitamin D is helping. If you’re not seeing improvement after 4-6 weeks, discuss with your doctor whether adjustments are needed.

This research suggests vitamin D supplementation may help people with sudden hearing loss who also have low vitamin D levels, but it is not a substitute for professional medical care. Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency that requires immediate evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist). Do not delay seeking professional medical attention or change your treatment plan based on this information alone. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, especially if you have kidney disease, take other medications, or have other health conditions. This study was conducted in one hospital and should be confirmed by larger, multicenter studies before being widely recommended. Individual results may vary based on the cause of hearing loss, severity, and other health factors.