Tinnitus aka 'Ringing in the Ear' Prevention: Study Reveals Coffee Acts As Vaccine

While there has been no known cure for tinnitus, a new study has revealed that coffee intake is a huge factor in people's risk of experiencing the symptom.

Mayo Clinic describes tinnitus as a sympton characterised by a noise or ringing in the ears which may vary from a "roar to a high squeal." The sound can at times be so loud that it can disrupt one's concentration and "ability to hear an actual sound." However, years of research revealed tinnitus may have a remedy after all.

An article in the August edition of the American Journal of Medicine discusses the effect caffeine has on test subjects who were initially not suffering from tinnitus.

In 1991, more than 65,000 women ages 30 to 44 participated in a survey about their lifestyles and medical pasts. This was done in every two years with the volunteers reporting in their answers. Frequency of their food intake was also questioned and done in every four years.

By 2009, data gathered from answered questionnaires revealed some volunteers started experiencing the incessant and sometimes painful ringing in their ears. According to the report, some suffered the symptom every day while others just for "a few days/week." However, there was an increase in tinnitus cases after they came back for a follow up 18 years later. Out of the 65,000 women, 5289 were reported having the symptom.

According to the report, the determining factor that distinguishes those suffering from tinnitus from the remaining 59, 711 volunteers was the coffee intake. The study revealed those who had much higher caffeine intake had surprisingly fewer symptoms of tinnitus. Women who drank no more than one and a half cups of coffee a day show a 15 percent chance of experiencing tinnitus compared to those who favour four to six cups of the caffeine daily.

The study concluded, coffee, when taken in higher amounts can act as a vaccine in lowering the risk of tinnitus among women.

However, the American Tinnitus Association has not determined any connection coffee intake has with the occurrence of tinnitus. The symptom is believed to occur independently with or without the caffeine.

A group of researchers headed by Dr. Lindsay St. Claire at the Center for Hearing and Balance Studies at the University of Bristol conducted another study on the effect of coffee on tinnitus. Results revealed there is no connection with how much or how often individuals drink coffee with the severity of the symptom.