While you may enjoy the occasional happy hour with friends, it’s important to know that drinking too heavily or too often can affect your hearing health. Yes, alcohol consumption and hearing loss have been linked. We review more about this link in this post.
Cocktail Deafness
One study of young adults in London found a link between alcohol use disorder and problems hearing low-frequency sounds, a phenomenon researchers referred to as “cocktail deafness.” While it’s important to note most participants’ hearing did eventually return to normal, the researchers believe repeated episodes of heavy drinking could lead to permanent damage.
Auditory Cortex
Another study out of Germany discovered that heavy long-term drinking is connected to damage to the auditory cortex. This part of the brain is what helps you process sounds. So even if your ears are healthy, you can still have trouble making out what people are saying, especially in places with a lot of background noise.
Dizziness
Both the hearing and balance systems are housed within the inner ear, so damage to one of these systems often indicates damage to the other. In addition, the Vestibular Disorders Association reports that alcohol can change the volume and composition of the fluid in the inner ear, causing dizziness and balance problems. You’ve probably noticed this after a night of drinking!
Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can also be made worse by drinking alcohol. This is because alcohol causes the blood vessels to swell, resulting in more blood flow in the inner ear. Tinnitus can be an extremely irritating, or even debilitating, experience.
Ready to Quit?
If you’ve noticed audiological problems after drinking, consider the following questions:
- Do I ever end up drinking more or for longer than I initially intended?
- Have I ever wanted to cut down on drinking but was unable to?
- Do I spend a lot of time drinking or being affected by the aftereffects?
- Do I experience strong cravings for alcohol?
- Has my drinking ever interfered with my daily responsibilities?
- Have I ever put myself in dangerous situations while drinking?
- Have I continued drinking despite the negative effects on my mood?
- Have I stopped doing activities I once loved because of my drinking?
If the answer to any of these questions was “yes,” it may be time to consider cutting back on or quitting alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has resources to help.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Southwest Idaho ENT today.