Does diet affect tinnitus?

 

Can your diet cause a ringing or buzzing in your ears? While chronic tinnitus is not well understood, some people with the condition report that certain foods or beverages worsen their symptoms.

We do know that heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to both hearing loss and tinnitus. However, moderate drinking may be fine for some, while a tinnitus trigger for others.

Additionally, people who experience tinnitus as a symptom of Meniere's disease may find it helpful to consume a low-salt diet. After that, it gets murkier. Let's take a closer look at what recent research says as well as steps you can take to better manage your tinnitus symptoms.

Does research show a connection between diet and tinnitus?

It can be challenging to study how nutrients effect tinnitus. However, several studies have attempted to explore the connection. 

High-fat diets and vitamin B12

A 2020 study had more than 34,000 UK adults fill out questionnaires about their hearing difficulties, tinnitus and diet. Researchers tried to look for any patterns between the three, focusing on vitamins and minerals (salt intake was not studied).

The study found that:

• higher intakes of calcium, iron, and fat were associated with increased odds of tinnitus,
• yet, higher intakes of vitamin B12 and meat were associated with reduced odds of tinnitus.

The researchers suggested that fat intake may affect the health of blood vessels, which are important for hearing well.

Low vitamin D levels

In 2023, a meta analysis of three observational, case-control studies focused on the relationship between vitamin D levels and tinnitus. Analysis showed that serum vitamin D "was found to be 22% lower in patients with tinnitus compared to those without." While more studies are needed, this could indicate that low vitamin D is linked to tinnitus.

Protein-rich foods and caffeine 

A 2023 study in Italy surveyed 185 people with tinnitus and 198 without, using a 37-item food-frequency questionnaire. Interestingly, higher consumption of caffeine, butter, poultry, prosciutto, and legumes was linked to a lower risk of developing tinnitus.

Researchers suggest that a varied, protein-rich diet with moderate caffeine intake might help prevent tinnitus, but acknowledged more research is needed for specific dietary recommendations.

Research limitations

These studies highlight the need for more research on the connection between diet and tinnitus, but none have established a direct cause and effect. They also have limitations: Self-reported data can be inaccurate, as participants might not recall their food intake or tinnitus severity correctly. In the vitamin D study, it's unclear if the deficiency causes tinnitus or if both might be symptoms of another condition.

Additionally, while the Italian study associated moderate caffeine intake with tinnitus prevention, other tinnitus sufferers have indicated that caffeine worsens their symptoms.

Bottom line: The research on tinnitus and diet is inconclusive. You shouldn't overhaul your diet based on any one study and never make any significant changes before speaking with your medical provider first.

Meniere's disease and salt: A known trigger

Salt helps the body retain fluid and is a necessary electrolyte we all need in our diets. But moderation is key — eating a lot of salty processed foods can worsen high blood pressure and fluid retention. This is especially the case for people with Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder that cause dizziness, hearing loss and tinnitus, often in one ear. For people with Meniere's, a low-salt diet can reduce tinnitus.

A food diary to track tinnitus symptoms

If you suspect food might be triggering your tinnitus, experts suggest keeping a detailed food and tinnitus diary. Though it can be time-consuming, it could significantly improve your quality of life.

According to the British Tinnitus Association, the diary should include specific details about what you eat, such as the type of meat, vegetable, cheese, or fish. Specificity matters because you might find, for example, that eating brie triggers symptoms while cheddar does not.

To test if a particular food is causing your tinnitus, avoid that food for a week. Then, reintroduce it, withdraw it again, and repeat the process to see if there's any change in your tinnitus.

Keeping a food diary might reveal patterns between your diet and tinnitus, helping you decide on dietary changes to find relief. This is completely individual. You may find that cutting out red meat or limiting yourself to one cup of coffee a day helps reduce your tinnitus. You might also discover that you don't have any food triggers at all.

Prioritize a healthy diet and quality sleep

Dr. Allison King, Au.D of Palmetto Family Hearing Center in Waxhaw, NC, has treated many tinnitus patients over her 20-year career. While a few patients have mentioned sodium or caffeine making their tinnitus worse, most patients don't see any connection to their diet. However, that doesn't mean diet is of no importance. 

"My recommendation to patients is always a healthy, balanced diet," said Dr. King. "Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime if tinnitus is bothersome at night because these substances, though we don't have evidence they directly impact tinnitus, do impact sleep patterns."

She also urged against taking any supplements that claim to "cure" tinnitus. "We don't have any evidence in the research that diet restrictions or dietary supplements decrease the awareness of tinnitus in any way."

The connection between tinnitus and hearing loss

While diet may play a part in your symptoms, tinnitus is often a sign of hearing loss.

"It is very common to find even a mild degree of hearing loss with tinnitus," said Dr. King. "Tinnitus is in fact a symptom, not a disease process, so it is often present to alert the patient to changes taking place in the auditory system."

Finding help

If you are experiencing ringing in your ears that is interfering with your daily life, visit our directory to find hearing healthcare specialist who has experience treating tinnitus. If they determine that hearing loss is contributing to your symptoms, the right pair of hearing aids may lessen your tinnitus. They may also recommend additional treatments, including sound masking and reducing stress.

"The biggest piece of advice I can give patients is to avoid silence so that the brain has access to other sounds, stay calm and practice stress relief techniques," said Dr. King. "Tinnitus does not get worse. It is our emotional reaction to it that makes the perception of tinnitus change." 

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