Tinnitus: Is there a caffeine connection?
Tinnitus, in most
cases, is a subjective experience that is most commonly referred to as
"ringing in the ears," and most commonly caused by exposure to loud
noise. However there are many other ways that individuals can develop tinnitus,
including head or neck injury, taking oto-toxic (harmful to the ear)
medications or a virus that attacks the ear. Some health professionals even
noted that certain dietary components, could cause, worsen or even alleviate
tinnitus symptoms based on how much or how little a person's intake was.
There is much
debate over whether dietary changes and or restrictions actually impact any
given person's tinnitus. And it seems that this advice is as subjective as the
condition itself. One of these dietary components that caused much controversy
over the years is caffeine.
There has been an age-old argument on whether or not tinnitus is exacerbated by caffeine, but no scientific evidence available to prove it that it does or it doesn't until recently. A research team from the UK decided to see if the tinnitus-caffeine connection actually held water (or tea or coffee!)
I know that here at the American Tinnitus Association, we have gotten numerous letters over the years from our members that reducing their caffeine intake did cause a reduction and in some cases a total alleviation of tinnitus symptoms. However we have also heard that reducing or completely eliminating caffeine had absolutely no bearing on some individual's tinnitus and all it did was cause caffeine withdrawal including nausea and headaches. It seems that the caffeine connection is as subjective as the condition itself!
Still, as recently as 2005, we asked our ATA members in a member survey whether or not they felt that their tinnitus was affected by caffeine consumption. Though it was not a scientific survey, 24% of our members felt that their tinnitus got worse after consuming caffeine.
Contrary to all of these personal accounts, the UK team found that caffeine had no significant bearing (if any) on an individual's tinnitus. According to Dr. Lindsay St. Claire and her research team at the Center for Hearing and Balance Studies at the University of Bristol, the amount of caffeine a person consumed had no effect on the severity of tinnitus in their study. You can read more about the design of the study and how it was conducted here: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60J5EA20100120
It's also important to know exactly what caffeine is. It's a well-known vasoconstrictor (any agent that causes a narrowing of an opening of a blood vessel) of blood flow in the brain, and a vasodilator (a drug that causes dilation of blood vessels) in the muscles. In doses above 250 mg per day, scientists also agree that caffeine constricts blood flow in the brain, and can cause irritability, jitters, insomnia, heart palpitations, stomach upset, and headaches. Researchers Field et al.,found out something else about caffeine: Its consumption is so common, and its vasoconstriction effect on the brain so predictable, that its use probably confounds the results of MRIs and other brain scans. The researchers also saw abnormal cerebral blood flow in brain scans of people going through caffeine withdrawal.
Because of what we now know about tinnitus originating in the brain, it is certainly possible that for some people, other factors are coming into play (like what parts of the brain are stimulated by caffeine and what caused an individual's tinnitus) and impacting the areas in which tinnitus is originating.
So to conclude, if you have tinnitus, and are weighing whether or not to try to limit or cut caffeine completely out of your diet for "the ringing's" sake, consider the data obtained by the researchers at the University of Bristol. If you are a regular consumer of caffeine like me, you might find that the withdrawal symptoms are far worse than any benefit you might receive by cutting out caffeine completely! Since there doesn't seem to be any proven link to tinnitus worsening as a result of caffeine consumption.
To learn more about how ATA is working toward a cure for tinnitus please visit www.ata.org and consider joining the fight by becoming a member of our organization today.
Jan 21, 2010 at 4:20 PM I am certain that caffeine makes my tinnitus worse. If I cut out caffeine for at least a week, it all but goes away. If I drink caffeine even once... it comes back as a low hum and gets worse as the day goes on.
Mar 16, 2010 at 7:51 AM My tinnitus has changed in tone and regularity, it used to occur mainly in the dark hours, just as i was trying to sleep, now it's with me all day and is a high pitched tone which makes me want to scream.
I do have about 4 coffees per day, Latte's to be precise, does anyone think if i tried to reduce this it would help?.
The other thing which i'm certain is related, but my specialist dosnt seem to agree with, is that having had an MRI Scan, i have abnormalities in blood flow to my brain (reduction).
Is this common with tinnitus sufferers ? i do have other side effects such as a constant headache, tiredness, dizziness occasionally and blurred vision too sometimes.
Sometimes it's so bad that i struggle to get through the day, let alone carry out my job.
Be grateful for any views on this.
Apr 18, 2010 at 5:46 AM Tinnitus is a disease which might be connected with caffeine but no evidence regarding it received yet.But more & more research needs in it,thanks for this beautiful information.
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Apr 19, 2010 at 8:58 PM Tinnitus is one of the major issue which cause hearing loss and what it adds more is the impatience and short temperness of the patient. But this problem is always welcomed by the people only by taking harmful toxics and over usage of caffeine.
One must have to understand about how to keep their hearing perfect.
Jun 7, 2010 at 10:05 PM This topic hits very close to home as I am a 40 year old drummer, a huge coffee drinker and a student of the world of hearing aids. I have yet to develop full blown tinnitus but I do suffer mild symptoms and I am totally convinced that my years of no ear plugs and loud drums/cymbals are the cause - not coffee. Thank you for posting this and helping to expose the myth that caffeine causes or increases tinnitus. That simply is not true.
Jun 22, 2010 at 7:18 AM A very interesting post. Well, I feel it sometimes but I couldn't even imagine it is caused by specific reasons. It is tru. I like to listen to loud music.
Sep 8, 2010 at 6:14 AM I truly believe that each person that suffers from Tinnitus has a unique cure that will ultimately be all their own. Whether caffeine makes much of an impact is largely dependant on that individual. I think the most important issue is if the Tinnitus sufferer is willing enough to eliminate caffeine for a period of time to determine if there is a effect, be it positive or negative.
Oct 21, 2010 at 12:01 PM Here are my personal observations, what I have read in medical journals and very selective web information sites: (1) Exercise caution when taking antibiotics as they can contribute to tinnitus,yes they cause a real problem in areas of the world where many of them are widely prescribed, antibiotics tend to be the least expensive alternative. If you most use them take small amount of aspirin at the same time, some studies support that it may decrease your chances of adquiring tinnitus (research done in China). (2) If you find coffeine increasing the sound volume in your head then do everything possible to stay away from caffeinated products for one month. Yes, you are going to have headaches and withdrawal symptoms. What do you expect...Coffeine is considered an addictive STIMULANT drug. (3)If you are taking a large amount of aspirins, abuprophen, aceptaminophen or any other salicylic acid product do whatever you can to stay away from them as they will increase the tinnitus sound level, try finding an alternative way to aliviate your pain. (4) Watch your salt, read the ingredients in the packaging of the food you buy...the more salt intake the higher level tinnitus noise you will have, many foods have a salt content, even those you think are very healthy. (5) Stay away from putting ANYTHING in your ears, "nothing smaller than your elbow". (6)Stay away from water drying liquids such as those used by swimmers as they can cause chemical burns in the ear drum, once damaged they cannot be repaired. (7) If you have health insurance see your audiologist or other qualified MD, they study & research the subject, they may just have a NEW ANSWER to your problem. (8) If you cannot find an answer at least get a physical, namely a toxicology lab test, through your family physician (he/she sends blood, urine/fecal specimens to an approved lab) as you may be exposed to drugs, chemicals, environmental/ worksite fumes, even lead contamination that may be causing of your problems. (9) Last, how loud do you play your wonderful music...in the car, house and on those ear phones?? 50, 70, 100 db CONSTANT NOISE LEVEL day after day, weeks, and years is not what old mother nature intended for that sensitive and fragile human hearing of yours. I am not a doctor...just another person trying to find a clear and permanent answer for this terrible condition called tinnitus!
Nov 2, 2010 at 12:05 AM I used to be a big coffee drinker but about 7 month's ago, I decided to quit drinking coffee in order to keep my teeth from turning completely brown. However, I have a very boring desk job and I need something to keep me from falling asleep in the afternoon. I literally nod off and trying to stay awake is torture, so I started taking caffeine pills - usually a 200 or sometimes a 250 mg capsule on almost all work days. On rare occasions I'll take one on the weekend before a workout. I thought it would be fairly safe since I am getting far less caffeine per day/week than I did when I drank coffee. My tinnitus has gotten much worse lately. I can't say for sure whether the caffeine capsules have aggravated my condition but
it has seemingly gotten worse during this period. I wonder if it is possible that caffeine delivered in tablet or capsule form has a different, more potent, affect than when taken in beverages. A blurb in a fitness mag I read said tablets were more effective than in coffee for certain goals because coffee has chemicals that counteract the caffeine to some degree. The study cited above apparently dealt only with coffee and tea. The fatigue is really torture but I may just have to give up the capsules.
Nov 2, 2010 at 4:54 AM Then more I read the more that I am convinced that tinnitus is all related to your auto immune system. It is acting as an alarm, telling you that you are allergic, be it caffeine, foods, drugs, chemicals, air pollutants. Sounds like mission impossible, good luck.
Nov 3, 2010 at 8:25 AM Jr, interesting info on tinnitus. Want to really crank up the volume on your tinnitus? Read on: Spices, especially hot peppers and sauces such as habanero, jalapenos and other related food products are guaranteed items on the menu to aggravate your tinnitus! If you really want to lessen your tinnitus symptoms then stay away from them. Here is one easy, natural, temporary solution that may end up being YOUR permanent solution. When your tinnitus is really cranked you may find that LISTENING TO TONES MAY NATURALLY HELP YOU and get some rest. A simple way: (1) buy yourself a nice set of ear phones that go around your ears (stay away from ear plugs, Ipods,& others that go directly into the ear canal, present research points to them as being the future's largest culprit for tinnitus!) (2)tune in to the mellowest possible music you can find (3) find the LOWEST SOUND in the music song you can hear, the THE LOWER THE SOUND THE BETTER. There are many choices, perhaps you may find easy listening jazz where you can hear the brush on the drums, the vibes, sax, easy notes on the guitar and the easy on your ears singers may just be a great and pleasant distraction to that nightmarish buzzing in your head! PS: Do not crank up the volume, give your ear drums a break!! Try it for 60 minutes a day (or longer) may be just the break you are needing. What you are applying is the "new science" for tinnitus called "acustic therapy". Should we say this is mission possible? Good Luck!
Nov 5, 2010 at 1:28 AM just go around, but surprised by your blogs, the information is so interesting,I deeply attract by it.
Nov 5, 2010 at 2:22 PM JR....I am back, hope you don't kick me out of here. Here is an idea, crazy idea I have, that may help many people with tinnitus. My idea has to do with "Mind Over Matter" and no, it is not applying Mark Twain's frase "if you don't mind it doesn't matter" (tinnitus sufferers have already applied that for too long!). Stick with me, you have nothing to loose. You will not have to fear the use drugs, fear a surgeon's scalpel or fear the very worst remedy of olden days of drilling a hole in your head to let the evil noises scape! Stick with my crazy idea, at least you will have a temporary distraction from that buzzing in your head. My idea has to do with applying what is called in psychology "DESENSITIZATION", it means to make something less sensitive. Here is what I am proposing: In my previous blog I wrote about TONES, my belief is that by listening to different tones not only can we increase hearing acuity but strangely enough at same time desensitize ourselves from that terrible sound of tinnitus. Don't want to go into long explanations of why so here are my instructions, you decide. PS: While you are reading my instructions it may just be to your benefit to remember stories you heard in your lifetime about the POWER OF AUTO SUGGESTION, it may be just what you need to believe:(1) As previously mentioned buy yourself a nice and comfortable set of ear phones that go around your ears (do not buy ear phones or Ipods or anything that goes into your ear canal as the future will prove them to be one of largest culprits for tinnitus and deafness!). (2) Use this wonderful 21st century technology in front of you, for your benefit and not destruction this time....your computer. (3) Go into the computer and slide the volume controls to where you can ONLY HEAR ONE SIDE, CHOOSE EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT...NOT BOTH SIDES! Remember those words of auto suggestion I just had...is it your right or is it that left side where the buzzing in your head that is louder? Listen carefully.(4) Now find yourself the mellowest possible radio station that you want to listen to...start by finding the lowest sound you can hear, then KEEP TURNING IT DOWN, lowest sound to become the foundation for all the sounds that you will hear after. (5) DISCIPLINE, and whole lots of it is what you will need...because YOUR tendency will be to crank up the volume, DON'T DO IT! (6) RATHER KEEP GOING DOWN ON THE VOLUME TILL IT ALMOST OFF (7)Do this one ONE SIDE for 60 minutes (or longer) for one week. Following week do the same for the other side, repeat weakly and weekly! (8) what I believe you will find is ALL THOSE INTERESTING SOUNDS AROUND YOU, SOUNDS YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FOR A VERY LONG TIME...your computer's fan, the key strokes on your computer, the sounds around you, the birds...you get the picture. (9) because you are listening only with only one side you are therefore forcing yourself to FOCUS ONLY ON ONE SIDE, the other side being left under stimulated, THE UNDER STIMULATED SIDE IS HAVING A "MAXIMUM" TIME TO REST. (10) and the side you are now using to listen with is also getting rested because now you are using loudness volumes that are dramatically decreased from the previously high volumes normally used by you. Do we have mission possible, what do you believe..Mind Over Matter? Power of auto suggestion? Technology? Who is going to win? Let's make it mission possible, GOOD LUCK!
Dec 7, 2010 at 8:37 PM I'm a systems engineer with a fortune 500 company. When my Tinnitus first showed up, it was during a very stressful and hectic period at work. I was getting about 3 hours of sleep each night and living on many cups of French Roast coffee in the morning and continuously throughout the day. Probably more than I should have.
When my T first started, it was a very light high tone. Interestingly, I had the thought it may have something to do with dehydration. Well, I stopped the coffee, and started drinking more water and whaddya know, the ringing went away completely.
Well, later the rigors of my job, brought me back to the place of limited sleep and too much caffeine. Again the tinnitus showed up. Dehydration had been something I'd had trouble with for many years, but hadn't specifically caused Tinnitus at that time, but more, severe and very painful constipation (read: fecal impaction).
At one point a friend turned me on to the great site run by a Doctor (yes a real MD) with a more natural approach to healing.I had bought one of their colon cleansing products that cleaned me up nicely. Haven't had issues with constipation since then.
Now where my Tinnitus was concerned, I was going insane with the darn ringing and hissing. Sometimes louder, sometimes softer.
My original hypothesis was that my ringing was caused by combination of constricted blood vessels. I noticed that they had a product to help with circulation as well as a product to properly rehydrate you.
I tried both and within about week my tinnitus was gone. I don't take their supplements all that often, but just keep those two bottles in my medicine cabinet in case that darned ringing comes back. It hasn't yet, but I'm ready if it does.
I was just doing some more research on it and figured it would be good to pay it forward. The two products that helped me were:
Hematrex (promotes good circulation)
www.globalhealingcenter.com/health-products/cpcaff.php?ref=167669&url=http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/hematrex.php
Mega-Hydrate (helps your body replace missing fluids.)
www.globalhealingcenter.com/health-products/cpcaff.php?ref=167669&url=http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/megahydrate-antioxidant-supplement.php
At the very least, the site has great natural healing articles.
Hope that helps some of you all!
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