Sunday Sep 13, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Dr. Sharon Curhan of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and colleagues conducted a study and found increased intake of Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the odds of acquired hearing loss, particularly in women.

Acquired hearing loss is a common, often disabling, chronic health condition that is more likely found in older people.  Although aging is a major risk factor, some risk factors may be modified to prevent or delay the onset of the health condition.

More than 65,000 women were tested between 1911 and 2009 and 11,600 of them were found suffering hearing loss.  The study in Sept 10 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found  women who consumed at least two servings of fish/omega-3 fatty acids (long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) per week were at a reduced risk of developing hearing loss.

Specifically, those who ate at least two servings of fish per week including tuna, dark fish, light fish or shellfish were 20% less likely to acquire hearing loss, compared with those who ate less or did not eat fish.  

Similarly, consumption of omega-3 fatty acids ,which are found in fatty fish, was also associated with reduced risk of hearing loss.

It should be noted that the association does not mean eating fish or omega3 fatty acids is the cause for the reduced risk of acquired hearing loss.  The causal relationship was not established in this study.  More research is needed to confirm the association. (David Liu, PHD)