Would Caffeine Consumption Have Some Effect on the Perception of Tinnitus?

Abstract

Objective: Caffeine has been implicated in the genesis of tinnitus. The current recommendation has been to avoid it, without any scientific evidence for this. Our objective is to examine whether the use of black coffee influences the tinnitus impact on quality of life.

Method: We included patients whose main complaint was tinnitus and its etiology presbycusis or noise-induced hearing loss. It was questioned about the ingestion of black coffee and the amount of cups per day. For evaluation of tinnitus impact, we used the visual analogue scale and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).

Results: The study included 136 patients. The mean age was 63.8 years, and 57.5% were female. Of the total sample, 52% drank black coffee regularly, with an average of 2.5 cups per day. The 2 groups did not differ regarding gender and age. When we analyzed the consumption of black coffee, we found no statistically significant difference in both the visual analogue scale score and THI between groups. There was no significant correlation between the amount of coffee consumed per day and the score of the THI or between the visual analog scale scores.

Conclusion: This study showed that daily intake of black coffee does not influence the degree of discomfort and quality of life of patients with chronic tinnitus. There is currently no sufficient scientific evidence that supports the recommendation of suspension of its consumption in this group of patients.