The study findings revealed that a least two servings of fish weekly is related to a cut down of 42 per cent in the risk of developing hearing loss in adults over 50 years of age, as compared to those who consume less than one serving per week.

Consumption of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids also yielded similar risk cut down, and there was a cut down of 14 per cent in the risk of hearing loss with higher consumption.

The researchers reported, Dietary intervention with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could prevent or delay the development of age-related hearing loss.

The data from the study was collected from a total of 2,956 men and women enrolled in the Blue Mountains Hearing Study. The subjects were questioned on their dietary consumption of fish using food-frequency questionnaires.

The scientists concluded that there is an inverse association between total and long-chain omega-3 consumption and hearing loss and with higher fish consumption, there is a reduction in the risk of developing presbycusis - age-related hearing loss.

However, further research which includes a human intervention trial is needed to fully grasp the correlation between the consumption of omega-3 and hearing loss.

Medicine