Is there any better pick-me-up in the morning than a fresh cup of coffee from Atlanta Coffee Roasters? If you’re a regular coffee drinker, you may be wondering about the possible effects caffeine can have on your health and hearing. Below we review what the research shows.
Is Caffeine Linked to Hearing Loss?
In large quantities, caffeine can restrict the blood vessels and alter blood pressure, both of which are linked to hearing loss. This has led many researchers to ask if there is a relationship between hearing loss and caffeine consumption.
One large Korean observational study from 2018 actually found that not only is there no link between caffeine consumption and hearing loss, but those who drink coffee actually have lower rates of hearing loss than people who don’t drink coffee.
When Caffeine Can Exacerbate Hearing Loss
While the Korean study indicates caffeine can actually boost hearing health, there are exceptions to this.
If you experience temporary hearing loss after being exposed to loud noise, you should recover within a few days. But if you consume caffeine daily, it may make this recovery time take longer according to a small 2016 study.
In addition, cancer patients taking the drug cisplatin should be careful with caffeine. Cisplatin is well-known to cause hearing loss, and a 2019 study found that adding caffeine can increase this risk.
Is Caffeine Linked to Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is that pesky ringing in your ears with no external sound source.
Some people report that cutting back on caffeine improves their symptoms; however, there hasn’t been any robust studies to support this. In fact, one study found lower rates of tinnitus among women who drank coffee heavily, and another study found that caffeine withdrawals can exacerbate tinnitus.
Is Caffeine Linked to Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease causes episodes of hearing loss, ear fullness, tinnitus and vertigo. Many people with Meniere’s disease are told to cut back on salt, alcohol and caffeine to manage symptoms, but there’s little scientific evidence this actually helps.
So, Does Caffeine Harm Your Hearing Health?
There seems to be little evidence that caffeine exacerbates hearing loss, tinnitus or Meniere’s disease in most cases. If you find that caffeine is worsening your symptoms, you can try cutting back. However, you can probably enjoy your favorite caffeinated drinks without worrying about harming your hearing. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Advanced Hearing today.