A tinnitus sufferer recently questioned me, “Does caffeine affect tinnitus?” Doctors of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT) had given him both affirmative and negative responses over the years.
A person with tinnitus hears sounds in one or both ears, such as buzzing, roaring, whooshing, or clicking. The perceived sound might be acute or chronic, irritating or incapacitating.
According to research conducted in 2014 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, drinking coffee may help reduce tinnitus. Over the course of 18 years, researchers followed 65,000 women in the study, which was published in the August issue of the American Journal of Medicine.
Can quitting caffeine help with ringing in the ears?
It’s possible that your experience giving up coffee will be different from someone else’s. Caffeine withdrawal could aid your tinnitus symptoms from getting worse, depending on what’s causing it. However, new research has also revealed that for some people, caffeine may actually reduce tinnitus discomfort.
However, according to research, caffeine withdrawal can cause discomfort from headaches, exhaustion, and mental issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to take into account a variety of elements when deciding what would make you feel better or reduce your symptoms.
The impact of caffeine on hearing loss?
Generally speaking, it does not seem that regular caffeine consumption will have significantly an effect on your hearing over time. Since blood flow is a crucial component of good hearing and caffeine does limit blood vessels and change blood pressure, experts have pondered whether there is a connection.
A sizable Korean observational research revealed no link. In fact, it was discovered that coffee drinkers had decreased incidences of hearing loss.
Caffeine may make transient hearing loss brought on by noise worse
Ever have the weird and muffled hearing feeling after leaving an extremely loud event? Temporary thresholds shift (TTS) is a symptom of overworked and worn-out inner ear hair cells, which you most certainly encountered. Your hearing should return in a few days, if not sooner, under normal circumstances.
Avoiding big coffee levels until your sense of hearing is back to normal may be helpful: A 2016 study found that coffee use on a daily basis may delay TTS recovery. The study was carried out on a tiny group of guinea pigs, and therefore it probably does not have the same impact on humans.
Noises
Tinnitus is a common complication for military personnel who have been exposed to gunfire, explosives, or powerful engines. Loud noises can exacerbate the symptoms of tinnitus, which can be caused by excessive noise either momentarily or permanently.
If you’re going to be around noisy machinery, athletic events, or concerts, make sure you have hearing protection, and try to avoid loud noises whenever you can. Keep the volume down when listening to music or similar recordings, especially if you’re wearing headphones or earphones.
Earwax
The ear canal is shielded by earwax, which prevents bacterial growth and traps debris. But when earwax accumulates, it can damage the eardrum and result in tinnitus or hearing loss.2 Visit a physician who is capable of safely eliminating any buildup if necessary if you believe that excessive earwax may be a problem.
What causes my ears to ring louder?
You might notice that your tinnitus becomes louder or worse when stress and anxiety levels rise.
The following are other factors that can exacerbate tinnitus:
• Infections and allergies
• migraines, elevated or low blood pressure, trouble sleeping, and alcohol use
But it’s crucial to remember that each person’s experience of tinnitus is unique. For instance, while some individuals discover that quiet environments are helpful for easing symptoms, others discover that they might exacerbate tinnitus.
Caffeine may make transient hearing loss brought on by noise worse
Ever have the weird and muffled hearing feeling after leaving an extremely loud event? Temporary thresholds shift (TTS) is a symptom of overworked and worn-out inner ear hair cells, which you most certainly encountered. Your hearing should return in a few days, if not sooner, under normal circumstances.
Avoiding big coffee levels until your hearing is back normal may be helpful: A 2016 study found that coffee use on a daily basis may delay TTS recovery. The study was carried out on a tiny group of guinea pigs, therefore it probably does not have the same impact on humans.
Conclusion
People with tinnitus, a medical ailment, hear ringing in their ears. There is inconclusive evidence to support the idea that coffee is a potential cause, but other possibilities include exposure to loud noises, accidents, or drugs.
Consult your doctor if you’re suffering tinnitus. They can assist in identifying any underlying issues that require attention. Medical professionals can work with you in order to reduce the noise you hear even if an exact reason cannot be determined. You might not even need to stop drinking your morning cup of coffee.