In recent years, Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) has become an increasingly prevalent otological condition. Its symptoms—rapid hearing loss within 72 hours, accompanied by tinnitus, ear fullness, or even vertigo—often catch people off guard.
A latest randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in The Laryngoscope by Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, titled "NAD+ Enhanced on Hearing Recovery in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Randomized Controlled Trial," found that NAD+ (coenzyme I) offers significant advantages in hearing recovery.
Study Design
This two-year double-blind RCT enrolled 38 SSNHL patients, divided into two groups:
- NAD+ Group (18 patients): Received standard treatment plus daily 5mg NAD+ injections.
- Control Group (20 patients): Received only standard treatment (hormones, Ginkgo biloba extract, batroxobin, etc.).
Key Results
- The NAD+ group achieved an average hearing improvement of 40.2 dB HL, significantly higher than the control group’s 23.1 dB HL (p=0.01).
- The effective rate of the NAD+ group reached 94.4%, far exceeding the control group’s 60%.
- The complete recovery rate of the NAD+ group was 44.4%—4 times that of the control group (10%).
- The average recovery time of the NAD+ group was shortened by 3 times: 63 days vs. 176 days in the control group.
Additionally, NAD+ showed remarkable improvements in tinnitus (THI score) and ear fullness (VAS score), especially in patients with severe symptoms.
Mechanism of Action
NAD+, also known as coenzyme I, is a core molecule for cellular energy metabolism, participating in mitochondrial function maintenance, antioxidant responses, and DNA repair.
- Activates SIRT1 and SIRT3 pathways to enhance the antioxidant capacity of cochlear hair cells.
- Reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage, protecting auditory nerves and hair cells.
- Improves inner ear microcirculation and accelerates energy recovery of auditory nerves—effectively boosting and stabilizing hearing recovery.
In simple terms, NAD+ acts as a "cellular charger," revitalizing damaged cells in the ear and promoting regeneration of the auditory system.
Conclusion
NAD+ significantly enhances hearing recovery in SSNHL patients, shortens recovery time, and improves accompanying symptoms like tinnitus and ear fullness with good safety. This finding provides a new direction for clinical treatment and demonstrates NAD+’s potential in neuroprotection and anti-aging.
The golden treatment window for SSNHL is only 72 hours—seeking timely medical attention remains crucial. However, this study reveals a novel adjuvant therapy approach: boosting cellular energy metabolism to activate the body’s self-healing ability.
NAD+ may not only let you "hear the sound of youth" but also reignite hope for hearing recovery.
Reference
Gao M, Guan Y, Yue X, Bao H, Li Q, Zheng Y, Ou Y, Yang H. NAD+ Enhanced on Hearing Recovery in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Randomized Controlled Trial. The Laryngoscope. 2025 Oct 1. doi: 10.1002/lary.70173. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41035311.