A study has found that regularly eating fish could reduce the risk of developing tinnitus, an incurable hearing disease.
A team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, in the United States, investigated 73,000 patients to determine the incidence of the disorder, which leaves millions of Britons with a constant ringing or ringing in their ears.
Over a 30-year period, those who ate more than two servings of fish a week had a nearly 25 percent lower risk of developing tinnitus than those who rarely or never ate fish.
Patients who ate one serving of fish a week had a 13 percent lower risk.
Tuna, light-fleshed fish such as cod or halibut, and shellfish were associated with a lower risk of tinnitus, but dark-fleshed fish such as salmon and swordfish appeared to increase the risk of tinnitus.
Eating fish regularly could reduce the risk of developing tinnitus, an incurable hearing disease, according to a study (File Image)
Tuna, light meat fish such as cod or halibut, and shellfish were associated with a lower risk of tinnitus (file image)
Fish oil supplements, commonly taken for their heart, brain, and joint health properties, were also associated with an increased risk of tinnitus.
Tinnitus is thought to affect almost 15 per cent of British adults.
Although it is related to age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or circulation problems, the cause of tinnitus is not yet understood.
Previous studies have linked diet and tinnitus risk (high intakes of calcium, iron and fat are thought to increase the danger), but the new study is the first to provide data over such a long period of time.
Seafood has also previously been shown to reduce the risk of hearing loss, and a study published last year claims that eating more fish can reduce the risk of developing hearing problems by up to 20 percent.
Scientists believe that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish may help protect the health of inner ear cells or alleviate inflammatory responses to loud noises, chemicals or infections.
The Boston hospital research team, whose study was based on a database of US nurses, hopes that identifying a link between fish and tinnitus can help future patients.
“Identification of modifiable factors that influence the risk of persistent tinnitus could aid in prevention and guide specific treatment,” the study authors wrote.
