Abstract
Chocolate, which is produced from cocoa, exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases. We hypothesized that chocolate consumption would protect against hearing loss and tinnitus. We evaluated the hearing and tinnitus data, as well as the chocolate consumption, of middle-aged participants (40–64 years of age) of the 2012–2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All of the subjects underwent a medical interview, physical examination, audiological evaluation, tinnitus questionnaire, and nutrition examination. A total of 3575 subjects 40–64 years of age were enrolled. The rate of any hearing loss (unilateral or bilateral) in the subjects who consumed chocolate (26.78% (338/1262)) was significantly lower than that in those who did not (35.97% (832/2313)) (p < 0.001). Chocolate consumption was independently associated with low odds of any hearing loss (adjusted odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval = 0.70 to 0.98, p = 0.03). Moreover, the severity of hearing loss was inversely correlated with the frequency of chocolate consumption. In contrast to chocolate, there was no association between hearing loss and the consumption of sweet products without cocoa. Chocolate consumption was also not associated with tinnitus or tinnitus-related annoyance. Our results suggest that a chocolate-based diet may protect middle-aged people from hearing loss.
Highlights
Hearing loss, a highly prevalent sensorineural disorder, imposes a major economic and social burden [1]
We investigated the effect of chocolate consumption on hearing loss and tinnitus in middle-aged people in a large Korean cohort
We examined the association of chocolate consumption with hearing loss and tinnitus in participants 40 to 65 years of age
Summary
A highly prevalent sensorineural disorder, imposes a major economic and social burden [1]. The incidence of hearing loss is approximately 20% when mild and unilateral hearing losses are included [2]. Hearing loss typically hampers communication and relationships, thereby resulting in social isolation [3]. Hearing loss increases the risk of depression symptoms and deterioration of the quality of life [4]. Hearing loss is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative dementia [5,6]. For example, hearing aids and cochlear implants, restores auditory function, but the protective effect of certain foodstuffs against hearing loss is unclear
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