Tinnitus is a medical term for the perception of sound in the ears when there is no external sound present. Approximately 50 million Americans experience transient tinnitus, and 12 million have persistent tinnitus, according to the American Tinnitus Association. It is often referred to as ringing in the ears but can manifest as hissing, beeping, chirping or roaring in one or both ears. Typically, it presents itself as a symptom of hearing loss and is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of something else. Tinnitus is caused by many things; loud noise exposure, ear damaging drugs such as antibiotics and NSAIDs, Meniere's disease, head injuries, auditory nerves and many other unknown causes. To date, there is no cure, but there are many studies that have looked at the relationship between food and tinnitus to manage and minimize symptoms.
Sodium
Sodium affects fluid balance in the body, including fluid in the inner ear. Those with high blood pressure or suffering from Menerie's disease are highly affected by sodium. High blood pressure can sometimes be high enough to produce tinnitus. In the average American diet, salt is widely over consumed. Most processed foods, salty snacks, deli meats and canned soups contain much more sodium that is recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Caffeine
Caffeine is found at high amounts in coffee and tea, and at lower amounts in soda and chocolate. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and can cause high blood pressure and a myriad of other health effects when consumed at amounts over 500 mg per day as recommended by MayoClinic.com. Chemical stimulants in foods excite the hair cells in ears, causing them to go into a state of excitotoxicity, which can eventually destroy nerve cells in the inner ear, causing hearing loss and tinnitus.
Alcohol
Alcohol increases the force of your blood by dilating your blood vessels, which causes greater blood flow, especially in the ears. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure, which increases your chances for developing tinnitus. If you have high blood pressure, MayoClinic.com recommends avoiding alcohol or reducing alcohol consumption to moderate. Moderate drinking for men is considered two drinks of 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine or 1.5 oz. of distilled spirits per day. This amount is cut in half for women.
MSG
The Food and Drug Administration defines Monosodium glutamate as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe", but has received anecdotal reports from consumers for various adverse reactions. MSG is a flavor enhancer used in Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. MSG is a type of sodium and can contribute to water retention, which affects the inner ear. MSG also breaks down in the body as glutamate which acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter. If you are concerned about this affecting your tinnitus, read food labels carefully for the words monosodium glutamate or hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
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