Hearing loss isn’t just a problem for “old people” anymore.

Noise-induced hearing loss affects all of us. One single loud noise can cause free radical cell damage.1

But for those of us who are gradually turning up the TV volume, there’s exciting news that may just keep those hearing aids and shouting matches at bay. Brand new research has found a compound that reduces hearing damage. We already knew it had an array of health benefits. But researchers from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit discovered yet another.2

For their study, they exposed rats to acoustic trauma. One group received this compound before they were exposed to loud noise. During a 24-hour period, researchers continued to check for inner ear damage. The rats that did not receive the compound showed a rise in COX-2—a protein that causes inflammation and hearing loss. COX-2 levels continued to increase over the 24 hours in the untreated rats.

However, the rats that received the compound had less COX-2 protein buildup in the inner ear. The compound actually inhibited its production. As a result, it reduced noise-induced hearing loss.

Studies have proven this compound prevents and fights cancer and heart disease. And now you can add hearing loss to the list.

What is the compound that just keeps getting better?

I’m talking about the plant extract resveratrol.

The anti-aging properties of resveratrol are definitely not new news. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant. You can find it in red grapes and red wine. It’s best known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

“Resveratrol is a very powerful chemical that seems to protect against the body’s inflammatory process as it relates to aging, cognition, and hearing loss,” said lead study author Dr. Seidman.

Hearing loss affects one in five Americans.3 It is one of the most common conditions affecting adults over the age of 60.4 But today people are suffering much earlier in life. Believe it or not, you can blame loud music and iPods for that.  But even just being exposed to heavy city traffic can cause hearing loss.5 Noise-induced hearing loss is a growing medical issue. Especially for construction workers, musicians, airport workers, and men and women in the Armed Forces.

And if just losing your ability to hear isn’t bad enough, studies have linked hearing loss to dementia, poor cognitive function, and lack of balance. It’s even been found to raise your risk of heart disease.6 So protecting your hearing is vital.

Hearing loss can be frustrating, embarrassing, and even dangerous. But now you can eliminate all those with a little resveratrol. A handful of grapes, a glass of wine, or a resveratrol supplement may just save you from years of communication difficulties.

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References:
1 http://aafp.org/afp/2000/0501/p2749.html
2 http://oto.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/02/02/0194599813475777
3 http://bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-14/hearing-loss-affects-about-1-in-5-americans-researchers-say.html
4 http://nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/older.aspx
5 http://institutefornaturalhealing.com/2012/12/prevent-the-need-for-hearing-aids-with-this-natural-supplement/
6 http://sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220131742.htm