Could a Vitamin Reduce Hearing Deficit?

This common over-the-counter supplement helped reduce hearing deficiencies by mimicking cholesterol. It's also found in many plant foods, including celery, oranges and broccoli.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Loss of cholesterol in the inner ear may be involved in age-related hearing loss — and phytosterols may help resolve it

• Phytosterols, which have a structure and function similar to cholesterol, led to improvements in the function of outer hair cells in the inner ear, which help amplify sounds

• They may help balance cholesterol in the inner…