Health Library Hearing Health

Hearing Health

Can iron supplements cause tinnitus

The Potential Link between Iron Supplements and Tinnitus Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears, can be a bothersome and sometimes debilitating condition. While there are…

Article Updated: September 19, 2025
In your area New interest in Columbus: understanding tinnitus, hearing health and the evidence behind popular hearing-support approaches.
ZenCortex

The Potential Link between Iron Supplements and Tinnitus

Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears, can be a bothersome and sometimes debilitating condition. While there are various causes of tinnitus, some people have reported experiencing this auditory sensation after taking iron supplements. Iron is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in many bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of overall health. However, the relationship between iron supplementation and tinnitus is still not fully understood.

Some studies have suggested that high doses of iron supplements may lead to an increase in oxidative stress, which can potentially damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain. This damage to the auditory system could result in the development or exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms. While iron deficiency can also impact hearing health, it is essential to find a balance in iron intake to avoid potential side effects like tinnitus.

It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any iron supplementation regimen, especially if you have a history of tinnitus or other hearing-related issues. Understanding the risks and benefits of iron supplements can help you make informed decisions about your overall health and well-being. In some cases, alternative strategies or dietary changes may be recommended to support healthy iron levels without risking potential side effects like tinnitus.

See Ingredients & Offers
Author

Daily Health View Editorial Team

Health & Wellness Editorial Desk

The Daily Health View Editorial Team prepares educational health content with an emphasis on clarity, responsible presentation and reference-based information.

Daily Health View Editorial content Updated September 19, 2025

Scientific References

The company is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with any of these organizations.

  1. Rebooting the brain helps stop the ring of tinnitus in rats - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
  2. The link between hearing loss and Alzheimer's disease
  3. White, P. M., Doetzlhofer, A., Lee, Y. S., Groves, A. K., and Segil, N. (2006). Mammalian cochlear supporting cells can divide and trans-differentiate into hair cells. Nature 441, 984-987.
  4. Tinnitus Epidemiology: Prevalence, Severity, Exposures And Treatment Patterns In The United States
  5. What Herbs are Good for Hearing Loss?
  6. Neuroprotective potential of phytochemicals - G. Phani Kumar and Farhath Khanum - Jul-Dec 2012
  7. A Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman
  8. Identification of medicinal plants of Urmia for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
  9. The Benefits of California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
  10. Tinnitus is the result of the brain trying, but failing, to repair itself - Georgetown University Medical Center - Jan 2011
  11. Free radical production and ischemic brain damage: influence of postischemic oxygen tension - Agardh CD and others
  12. B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy-A Review - David O. Kennedy - Feb 2016
  13. Mapping cortical hubs in tinnitus. - Winfried Schlee and others - Nov 2009
  1. Intracranial Mapping of a Cortical Tinnitus System using Residual Inhibition - William Sedley and others - Apr 2015
  2. Neurotoxicity of General Anesthetics: Cause for Concern? - Misha Perouansky and Hugh C. Hemmings - Dec 2010
  3. Potential Links between Impaired One-Carbon Metabolism Due to Polymorphisms, Inadequate B-Vitamin Status, and the Development of Alzheimer's Disease. - Troesch B and others - Dec 2016
  4. Neurotoxicity of General Anesthetics: Cause for Concern? - Misha Perouansky and Hugh C. Hemmings - Dec 2010
  5. Singh V.K., Newman V.L., Berg A.N., MacVittie T.J. Animal models for acute radiation syndrome drug discovery. Expert Opin. Drug Discov. 2015;10:497-517. doi: 10.1517/17460441.2015.1023290
  6. Abayomi O.K. Pathogenesis of irradiation-induced cognitive dysfunction. Acta Oncol. 1996;35:659-663. doi: 10.3109/02841869609083995
  7. Davydov M., Krikorian A.D. Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: A closer look. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2000;72:345-393
  8. Xie Y., Zhang B., Zhang Y. Protective effects of Acanthopanax polysaccharides on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and its mechanisms. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2015;72:946-950. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.09.055