Alcohol Causing Tinnitus?

Hello,

I am a 30 year old female with what I believe is tinnitus. I first noticed a "bath tub draining" sound in my left ear about 2 months ago. Now it has advanced to an electronic frequency of some sort in my head. The frequency seems very high (like 16,000 or 17,000 kh). Basically almost inaudible that it is sort of a feeling more.

Honestly, I'm at the point of wondering if I am even making up this noise in my head now. As many wonder what the cause of their tinnitus is, I am driving myself crazy trying to understand why this happened to me. I have not been exposed to any loud noise. I do not take any ototoxic medications. I went to an ENT and had an audiologist do a hearing test which they deemed to be "perfect." The only explanation I can come up with is that I drank a lot of alcohol and smoked a lot of cigarettes for the past 6 years. I am wondering if these two things alone could have caused permanent damage.

Does anyone have experience with alcohol and cigarettes being the root cause of tinnitus? Any help would be appreciated and I am thankful for everyone on this forum!

 

I have no actual knowledge of this, but I've never heard of alcohol causing tinnitus. I do know that existing tinnitus can get louder with alcohol use, though.

Could it have something to do with an infection, blood pressure or something with your jaw/teeth, perhaps?

Btw, 16000 seems very very high. I can't even hear that high frequencies.

 

Hi Sven,

I could definitely be misjudging the frequency. A doctor also told me she has never heard of alcohol or smoking being the root cause of permanent tinnitus. It may have something to do with my jaw as it seems to make cracking noises up near my ear when I chew.

 

Yes, my tinnitus started after drinking a lot alcohol, it's been 2 weeks since then. I don't have hearing loss either. I hope you are feeling better right now!

 

You'd have to be a bloody alcoholic coming off withdrawal. It's the only real way it would occur.