Can Beer drinking exacerbate tinnitus?

The relationship between alcohol consumption and tinnitus is complex and multifaceted, as indicated by various studies. Evidence suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may have a protective effect on hearing health, potentially due to enhanced microvascular health in the cochlea. For instance, some research indicates that moderate alcohol intake is associated with lower instances of tinnitus (Dawes et al., 2020; Kim et al., 2015).

However, this protective effect is not universally accepted, as some studies report increased tinnitus risk among individuals who consume alcohol, suggesting an intricate interaction that may vary among different populations (Vanneste & Ridder, 2011; (Dawes et al., 2014)Rhee et al., 2020). This disparity can further complicate clinical assessments and public health recommendations regarding alcohol consumption.

In a systematic review, it was found that while some studies point to a potential protective role of moderate drinking against tinnitus, others conclude that there is no significant correlation or even suggest that high alcohol consumption can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms (Biswas et al., 2022; (Gallus et al., 2015; (Dawes et al., 2014)Abidin et al., 2025).

For example, Dawes et al. noted that alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of hearing loss in some contexts, suggesting a need for caution regarding excessive intake (Dawes et al., 2014). This inconsistency in findings highlights the challenges in establishing definitive links between alcohol and tinnitus, where genetic factors and individual health conditions, such as cardiovascular health, anxiety, and lifestyle choices, may significantly influence outcomes (Biswas et al., 2022; Basso et al., 2020; .

Moreover, psychosocial factors and behavioral habits have been closely linked to tinnitus prevalence. Research indicates that anxiety and stress, which can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption, may amplify tinnitus severity in susceptible individuals (Alqub et al., 2024; Belojević et al., 2014). For younger populations, such as university students, alcohol consumption has been identified as one of several risk factors associated with tinnitus onset, further supporting the notion that social behaviors significantly impact auditory health (Alqub et al., 2024; Rhee et al., 2020).

Additionally, the type and quantity of alcohol consumed may influence tinnitus outcomes. While moderate alcohol intake might be neutral or protective, consumption at higher levels seems to correlate with greater incidences of tinnitus (Gallus et al., 2015; Nondahl et al., 2012). Several studies have also emphasized gender differences in susceptibility to tinnitus, with some research suggesting women may be more predisposed to tinnitus, which may be associated with differences in how each gender metabolizes alcohol and responds to its effects (Biswas et al., 2022; Basso et al., 2020; Maas et al., 2017).

In conclusion, while there is some evidence to suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may have protective effects against tinnitus, other studies complicate this narrative by illustrating potential exacerbation of symptoms with higher consumption levels. Hence, the relationship between alcohol and tinnitus is highly individualized, warranting further exploration within various demographics and contexts to develop more tailored recommendations.

References:

Abidin, F., Biondo, F., Altmann, A., & Dawson, S. (2025). Distinct changes in the morphology of cortical and subcortical grey matter associated with age-related hearing loss and tinnitus in the uk biobank participants. Brain Communications, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf203

Alqub, M., Tourman, N., Mousa, J., Humead, N., Alrazeq, A., Khatatbh, A., … & Dwikat, M. (2024). Tinnitus prevalence and associated risk factors among university students: a cross-sectional study. Sage Open Medicine, 12. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121241283344

Basso, L., Boecking, B., Brüeggemann, P., Pedersen, N., Canlon, B., Cederroth, C., … & Mazurek, B. (2020). Gender-specific risk factors and comorbidities of bothersome tinnitus. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00706

Belojević, G., Backović, D., Ilić-Živojinović, J., Tomanić, M., Hadzic, E., & Marmut, Z. (2014). Tinnitus among serbian secondary school students in relation to their behavior and habits. Noise and Health, 16(69), 73. https://doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.132080

Biswas, R., Genitsaridi, E., Trpchevska, N., Lugo, A., Schlee, W., Cederroth, C., … & Hall, D. (2022). Low evidence for tinnitus risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 24(1), 81-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-022-00874-y

Dawes, P., Cruickshanks, K., Moore, D., Edmondson‐Jones, M., McCormack, A., Fortnum, H., … & Munro, K. (2014). Cigarette smoking, passive smoking, alcohol consumption, and hearing loss. Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 15(4), 663-674. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-014-0461-0

Dawes, P., Newall, J., Stockdale, D., & Baguley, D. (2020). Natural history of tinnitus in adults: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. BMJ Open, 10(12), e041290. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041290

Gallus, S., Lugo, A., Garavello, W., Bosetti, C., Santoro, E., Colombo, P., … & Langguth, B. (2015). Prevalence and determinants of tinnitus in the italian adult population. Neuroepidemiology, 45(1), 12-19. https://doi.org/10.1159/000431376

Kim, H., Lee, H., An, S., Sim, S., Park, B., Kim, S., … & Choi, H. (2015). Analysis of the prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus in adults. Plos One, 10(5), e0127578. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127578

Maas, I., Brüggemann, P., Requena, T., Bulla, J., Edvall, N., Hjelmborg, J., … & Cederroth, C. (2017). Genetic susceptibility to bilateral tinnitus in a swedish twin cohort. Genetics in Medicine, 19(9), 1007-1012. https://doi.org/10.1038/gim.2017.4

Nondahl, D., Cruickshanks, K., Huang, G., Klein, B., Klein, R., Tweed, T., … & Zhan, W. (2012). Generational differences in the reporting of tinnitus. Ear and Hearing, 33(5), 640-644. https://doi.org/10.1097/aud.0b013e31825069e8

Rhee, J., Lee, D., Suh, M., Lee, J., Hong, Y., Oh, S., … & Park, M. (2020). Prevalence, associated factors, and comorbidities of tinnitus in adolescents. Plos One, 15(7), e0236723. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236723

Vanneste, S. and Ridder, D. (2011). The use of alcohol as a moderator for tinnitus-related distress. Brain Topography, 25(1), 97-105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-011-0191-0