The role of magnesium in otology - A narrative review

Magnesium is believed to have a positive and protective effect on inner ear disorders. We conducted a systematic literature search on the topic. The mesh terms "magnesium", "tinnitus", "sudden hearing loss", "vestibular disorders", "ototoxicity", and "otoprotection" were used for the Medline search. Based on this approach, a narrative review with a structured literature search was conducted....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

No actionable change: this narrative review synthesises existing evidence on magnesium in otology but does not provide sufficient evidence from controlled trials to justify recommending magnesium supplementation in routine audiology or otology practice.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

As patients increasingly ask about supplements for hearing protection and tinnitus, a systematic understanding of magnesium's evidence base helps clinicians give evidence-informed answers rather than relying on anecdote.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Narrative review examines magnesium's proposed role across multiple inner ear conditions.
02Conditions reviewed include tinnitus, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and noise-induced hearing loss.
03Magnesium is theorised to protect inner ear hair cells via vasodilation and NMDA-receptor antagonism.
04Evidence quality across included studies is variable; narrative format limits bias assessment.
05Published in Magnesium Research.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Magnesium has proposed protective effects on inner ear disorders such as tinnitus and sudden hearing loss.

studypartially supported

Magnesium plays a role in inner ear physiology relevant to otological conditions.

opinionpartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42439044
DOI: 10.1684/mrh.2026.0553.
Journal: Magnesium Research
Publication type: review
Evidence level: 5
Population: Patients with inner ear disorders including tinnitus, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and noise-induced hearing loss (literature-based; no primary patient cohort)
Intervention: Magnesium supplementation or magnesium status in relation to inner ear disorders

Primary outcomes

Protective effects of magnesium on inner ear function; Relationship between magnesium and tinnitus; Relationship between magnesium and sudden sensorineural hearing loss

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