Hearing-loss and calciferol deficiency

Vitamin D (calciferol) deficiency has recently been claimed to cause cochlear hearing-loss (Brookes and Morrison, 1981; Brookes, 1983, 1984). In view of the therapeutic and pathophysiological implications of this finding, a confirmatory study was undertaken in the Department of Neuro-otology at The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital. Screening of 112 consecutive new referrals revealed 32 patients with biochemical abnormalities compatible with vitamin D deficiency. Of these, 26 agreed to serum vitamin D assay and normal values were obtained in all of these cases. This study does not support the claim that vitamin D deficiency is a cause of hearing-loss.