Home
Articles

The Effect of Caffeine on Tinnitus

May 18, 2023
2-5
minute read

The Effect Of Caffeine On Tinnitus

Our schedules tend to get busier and busier as the years go by. Many of us are utilizing caffeine to help us stay alert throughout our days. Caffeine may make us feel like we're ready to take on the world. But, it's not always the best solution to stay happy and healthy. If you have tinnitus, you may have noticed your symptoms are worse when you consume caffeine.

The Health Effects Of Caffeine

As you likely know, caffeine is a stimulant. This means it will increase the activity in your brain as well as your nervous system. It will also increase the amount of chemicals like adrenaline and cortisone in your body.

Unfortunately, this will also reduce the amount of natural melatonin your body produces. This will make it much harder for you to fall asleep and for your body to rejuvenate for the next day. People who consume too much caffeine also report anxiety, depression, and headaches.

How Caffeine Can Affect Your Hearing

According to a new study, caffeine can prevent ears from working when exposed to loud noises. The study focused on patients who consumed 25 mg/kg of caffeine daily. These patients had trouble recovering from excessive noise and their tinnitus symptoms.

Caffeine can also slow the natural healing process of the ear. This makes it almost impossible for the body to erase the damage caused throughout your day. Those who often experience tinnitus will notice that their mild case won't go away.

How To Resolve Caffeine-Related Hearing Loss

One of the best ways to help reduce the tinnitus symptoms that you feel with caffeine is to avoid it in the first place. Studies say that a typical adult can consume about 400 mg of caffeine a day without any impact on their health. This equates to between four and five cups of coffee a day. But, it's important to realize that every individual is different. Their body will feel different effects from caffeine than the next person.

When you decide to consume less caffeine, be mindful of withdrawal symptoms. If you go from consuming a ton of caffeine each day to not consuming any at all, it can have an impact on your well-being. It's a good idea to work with your hearing care professional to cut back on your caffeine levels at a steady pace. Together, you reach a safer consumption level that will not affect your hearing.

Call Us Today

If you're struggling with tinnitus, then it's time to contact us. Let our hearing care professionals assist you with all your hearing-related needs.

Hearing Health Quiz
Take our simple 2-minute assessment to discover if you might benefit from hearing assistance. Get your personal hearing score today.
Get Your Hearing Score
Written by
Reviewed by

Discover the Latest Articles

Stay informed with our informative articles.

Heart Disease and Hearing Loss Link Explained by an Audiologist

Cardiovascular disease increases hearing loss risk by 54% because the inner ear's delicate hair cells rely on oxygen-rich blood flow from healthy blood vessels.
March 3, 2026
5
min read

A Guide to Understanding Your Audiogram Results

An audiogram visually maps your hearing ability across different frequencies and volumes, revealing the type and degree of hearing loss for personalized treatment.
March 3, 2026
5
min read

Why February is the Perfect Time to See Your Audiologist

February offers ideal timing for hearing appointments with FSA grace periods active, fresh insurance benefits, better scheduling availability, and early-year planning advantages.
March 3, 2026
3
min read

Contact your local Hearing Aid Specialists

At Family Audiology and Hearing Centers, we strive to be there for all your family’s hearing needs. Because of this, we have 17 convenient locations in Ohio and Wisconsin for you to visit. See which location is best for you and schedule an appointment today.