Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) impacts quality of life, leading to feelings of frustration, social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. People with hearing loss experience difficulties with verbal communication. ARHI is prevalent amount senior citizens. The etiology includes genetic defects, environmental influences, and other factors including noise, ototoxic overexposure, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia.
Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to slow the degeneration of SGNs ( spinal ganglion neurons ) . Lion’s mane (HE; Hericium erinaceus, Hericiaceae) is a culinary mushroom that exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hepatopreotective effects
The authors conclude that HE mycelia treatment may prevent hearing loss, especially for high frequencies and speech recognition. Additionally, HE may increase serum concentrations of NGF. Changes were only observed in patients diagnosed with hearing impairment aged ≥ 65 years.
Lion’s Mane has been used in treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease with excellent results and has published studies This is the first study I read about this mushroom for hearing loss I utilize Paul Stametts’s Lion Mane from Host Defense
The study was published in the American Botanical Council Herbalgram
Chan YC, Lin TC, Chen CC, et al. Effects of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus on elderly hearing-impaired patients: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Funct Foods. October 2022;97:105220. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.105220.