Coffee or not?

[Tupac71]

Hi dear members of the BTA,

A little doubt that intrigues me: When I started out with my tinnitus, I read -like probably most of you did- these warnings, all around the web, saying how better your tinnitus would be cutting off drinking coffee.

To my surprise, over the last month or so, have found already like 3 or 4 different articles saying that the coffee intake is not only not bad, but suggesting that is even good for your tinnitus.

Have you seen articles of the like as well?

What's your personal experience with coffee?

This is my first post in the BTA. Thanks and greetings to you all.

[Ruud1boy]

Not seen anything to suggest it's beneficial. If you can do without the hit, switch to decaf and you can drink as much as you like without worrying about what it's going to do to your T.

If you're quite new to tinnitus, there's millions of things that people will tell you are either good or bad for your T. It's impossible to accommodate them all.

[HayleyStephens]

Hi There

I've only had T for 4 months, and have found that caffeine makes no difference to my symptoms. I drink between 1 and 3 cups a day. Alcohol increases my symptoms and the number one thing that definitely does is stress.! x

[Tupac71 in reply to HayleyStephens]

Yes. And I noted that alcohol really make it worse. No myth at all. And that's why I stopped taking it. Regrettably, I almost don't consume alcohol for years now (my T have "only" 6 and 1/2 months) so stopping completely didn't represent a so beneficial move for my T, I think.

But I heard of many people, real heavy drinkers, that when they stopped the intake completely, their T went really fine, to total or almost total recovery.

Probably when the body notes a true, real and strong healthy change, it makes the difference.

All best to all,

[Jimmuck]

I switched to decaf over a year ago and have not experienced any change in my tinnitus level. I don't drink so can't comment on the alcohol side but as the saying goes, you can enjoy everything in moderation

[elbarto]

I used to worry a lot about coffee, alcohol etc because I was really scared not to worsen my tinnitus; now I don't care anymore and rather enjoy my life. I am conscious anyway if something makes it worse but I don't notice coffee nor alcohol has any effect on it.

[Julia1jasper]

Hi there

Like you I'm new to this forum and have only written a couple of things. I've had the t all my life and maybe got a little louder but not noticed much. Mainly a swarm of loud bees regularly going into siren mode but usually within 2 days back to normal. Recently started properly using aids but about 8-10 years ago hearing tests revealed I've got significant hearing loss in both ears more than likely from birth. Never tested as kid n didn't question til young adult but it solves a few mysteries. Ye regarding the coffee thing. I joined a hearing forum last year and it seems that there are quite a few techniques, holistic and dietary suggestions out there for t. I think maybe it's doing a bit of research and trying a few things out as it seems that some of these methods have really worked for people. As far as too much or a little more coffee goes it may depend on the individual. I do know if the body is out of sorts in any way either physically or mentally then the t thing can seem worse. I tend to eat a balanced diet with mainly whole foods and over time worked out the things that suit me best. I was a coffee freak at one time but ain't noticed that drinking more or less makes a difference. It's maybe worth looking at other methods also as it could be possible to kinda retrain the brain or even train it to cut out or reduce the t. Medically there is no cure according to the science behind it so far but then it's nit something that the medics spent too much time researching I guess. I'm open to any suggestion so recon anything is worth a shot. I personally haven't tried anything as am that used to it now it's just become a part of me as did have a spell when it really was upsetting me but as it was prob from birth I feel it prob won't wanna leave me. Anyway let me know how you get on and I recon it's worth trying anything if it helps reduce this annoying thing.

Kind regards

Julia 😻🐈🐾🐾🐾

[Wringing1212]

Here's my experience thus far with this:

My audiologists provided literature that warns against caffeine and alcohol but they verbally told me to drink if it makes me feel better.

I've had T for 21 years. three years in, I thought to use the opportunity of extended travel in regions where coffee and alcohol wouldn't be available, to quit. I had a week of withdrawals headaches and some initial tiredness but adjusted and felt as energized as I'd felt with coffee. After a few months I hadn't had any improvement with the T, so I took up my guilty pleasures again.

7 years ago, I quite alcohol for a year and still, no improvement.

Today, I have Severe T and really need a cup of joe in the morning and 1 or two glasses of wine with dinner, just to take the edge off. I find if I drink more, I may have a spike in symptoms but as others have said here, moderation with all things is critical when you have severe T.

[Sally07]

Hi

I've only had tinnitus for about five months, but I haven't noticed that coffee or alcohol makes any difference for me.

I used to drink LOADS of coffee - when I first got tinnitus, I drastically reduced my intake, but found it made no difference, so now I'm back to drinking a few cups a day. I'm only new to tinnitus, but my firm belief is that if you make a huge change to your lifestyle to accommodate it, as in cutting out things you enjoy, this will have a detrimental effect. My audiologist said as much, so I think that someone like me, who's a coffee lover, should definitely not make any drastic changes! Just my personal opinion