Red Light Therapy for Hearing Loss: Scientific Evidence

Whether near-infrared light could shield the ears from loud noise was tested in a 2024 trial in the United States. Before noise exposure, participants had 850 nm light applied to the ear for 30 minutes, and their hearing was checked afterwards with hearing tests and a test of inner-ear function. Everyone still had a temporary drop in hearing after the noise, which recovered within about 75 minutes, and the light group actually fared slightly worse than the sham at one pitch. The light appeared not to protect hearing against noise, and the authors noted that better dosing needs further study.

Across 14 human studies, a 2021 review from Brazil surveyed the published research on low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for hearing problems, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness. Rather than pooling patient results, it counted and mapped the literature, noting that most studies used red and near-infrared light between 635 and 830 nm on the ear. The authors concluded that the published findings leaned positive and that LLLT may aid recovery, though this kind of literature survey is weaker evidence than a trial.

Comparing laser plus an herbal extract against the extract alone, a 1995 trial in Germany treated 40 patients who had both nerve-related hearing loss and long-standing tinnitus. The 25 men and 15 women received an injection of ginkgo biloba extract, then either a real or sham low-power laser at 632.5 and 904 nm aimed near the bone behind the ear for 8 minutes daily over 8 days. The study reported partial benefit, though it focused mainly on tinnitus relief rather than hearing recovery, so its value for hearing loss itself is limited.

No hearing improvement followed low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in a carefully controlled 2013 trial in the United States. 30 participants were split into laser, sham, and no-treatment groups, and 532 and 635 nm light was applied for about 4 minutes to the outer ears, the top of the head, the back of the neck, the jaw joints, and the neck, 3 times over 1 week. Hearing was checked with a standard hearing test, a speech-in-noise test, and a test of inner-ear function. The trial found no significant difference between the groups, and no individual showed a clinically meaningful change in hearing.