Did you know tinnitus is one of the oldest recorded medical conditions in human history?
In fact, it was described in ancient records from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and other early civilizations—long before modern medicine gave it a name.
And yet, thousands of years later, there’s still no known cure.
While
many blame genes, aging or noise exposure, there’s another possibility most people never consider:
Your diet.
In particular, a plant-based or vegan diet that lacks a critical nutrient your brain (and your auditory system) depend
on to function properly.
Because while going vegan might seem like a "healthy choice", it can quietly create a deficiency that disrupts nerve signaling and triggers internal noise.
And it all comes down to a single, overlooked compound: CHOLINE.
A Forgotten Nutrient—and Its Unexpected Role in Hearing
You’ve likely heard of it on the news or in the latest health docuseries.
But choline
is one of the most important (and under-consumed) nutrients for your brain and nervous system.
It plays a central role in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, focus—and yes, auditory processing.
Unfortunately,
most people aren’t getting enough.
According to the Institute of Medicine, only 10% of Americans meet the adequate daily intake of choline—a number that drops even lower in those who avoid animal foods.
That’s a
problem, because choline deficiency can impair nerve signaling, increase inflammation, and disrupt the delicate brain-ear connection that allows you to process sound.
So, how can you know if you’re getting enough?
Is Your Diet Delivering Enough Choline?
Here’s a quick reality check:
1 egg = 172 mg choline
3 oz. beef liver = 355 mg
4 oz. salmon = 83 mg
1 cup broccoli = just 63 mg
Unless you're regularly eating organ meats, eggs, and fatty fish, you're likely falling short of the 450–550 mg your body needs daily.
And if
you're following a vegan diet, the risk of deficiency is even higher!
That’s because most plant-based foods contain only trace amounts of choline—making it especially difficult to meet your needs without animal products or supplementation.
Why Most “Hearing Helpers” Don’t Work
Garlic oil. Ginkgo. Noise-masking machines.
These solutions may offer short-term relief, but they don’t address the inflammatory and neurological root causes of tinnitus.
In fact, some herbal approaches
can be irritating to sensitive individuals—or interfere with medications.
And while choline plays a vital role, it’s not the only piece of the puzzle.
Click here to uncover another hidden trigger of tinnitus.
