Researchers followed over 113,000 women for decades to see if diet affects tinnitus—that annoying ringing sound in your ears. They found that eating more fruit was linked to a lower chance of developing tinnitus, while eating more whole grains, beans, and sugary drinks was linked to a higher chance. The study suggests that what we eat might play a role in whether we develop this common hearing problem. However, the overall pattern of eating healthy didn’t prevent tinnitus as expected, which surprised the researchers and shows this is a complex issue.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating certain foods and following healthy eating patterns could help prevent tinnitus (ringing in the ears) in women over time
  • Who participated: 113,554 female nurses from two separate studies who were tracked for up to 38 years. Participants filled out detailed food questionnaires every 4 years to report what they ate
  • Key finding: Eating more fruit was linked to a 19% lower risk of developing tinnitus. However, eating more whole grains, beans, and sugary drinks was linked to higher risk—12-26% higher depending on the food
  • What it means for you: If you’re concerned about tinnitus, eating more fruit may help protect you. However, this study shows associations, not proof of cause-and-effect, so diet is likely just one of many factors. Talk to your doctor about tinnitus prevention strategies

The Research Details

This was a long-term tracking study called a cohort study, which means researchers followed the same group of people over many years. They used two separate groups of female nurses—one starting in 1984 and another starting in 1991—to see if their findings would repeat in both groups. Every 4 years, participants reported everything they ate using detailed food questionnaires. Researchers then tracked who developed tinnitus over the following years and compared their eating habits to see if certain foods were connected to the condition.

The researchers used statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect tinnitus risk, like age, smoking, noise exposure, and overall health. By studying two independent groups, they could check whether their findings were real or just a coincidence in one group.

This research approach is valuable because tinnitus is a real problem for many people, and we don’t have great treatments for it. By studying what people actually eat over decades and tracking who develops tinnitus, researchers can spot patterns that might help prevent it. Previous studies on diet and tinnitus were small or short-term, so this large, long-term study provides stronger evidence. Studying two separate groups of women helps confirm that findings aren’t just a fluke.

This study has several strengths: it’s very large (over 113,000 women), it followed people for many years (up to 38 years), and it used detailed food records collected regularly. The researchers also accounted for many other factors that could affect tinnitus. However, the study only included female nurses, so results may not apply equally to men or other groups. Also, people reported their own diet and tinnitus symptoms, which could have some errors. The study shows associations between foods and tinnitus, but cannot prove that food directly causes or prevents tinnitus.

What the Results Show

Over the study period, 22,879 women developed tinnitus. When comparing women who ate the most fruit to those who ate the least, the high-fruit group had a 19% lower risk of developing tinnitus. This finding was consistent in both groups of nurses studied, which strengthens confidence in the result.

Surprisingly, eating more whole grains was linked to higher tinnitus risk—26% higher when comparing the highest to lowest intake. Similarly, eating more beans (legumes) was linked to 13% higher risk, and drinking more sugary drinks was linked to 12% higher risk. These associations were also consistent across both study groups.

Interestingly, following an overall healthy eating pattern—which typically includes whole grains and legumes—did not reduce tinnitus risk as expected. This unexpected finding suggests that the relationship between diet and tinnitus is more complicated than simply eating ‘healthy’ foods.

The researchers examined many individual foods and food groups beyond those mentioned above. The consistent findings across two independent groups of women suggest these associations are real and not just random chance. The strength of the associations varied somewhat between the two groups, but the direction (higher or lower risk) was the same, which is reassuring. The researchers also noted that the relationship between intake and risk appeared to be dose-dependent for most foods—meaning more intake was linked to more risk or more protection.

Previous research has shown that healthy eating patterns protect against hearing loss, which led researchers to expect similar protection against tinnitus. However, this study found that overall healthy eating patterns didn’t prevent tinnitus, suggesting these two ear problems may have different dietary connections. Some earlier studies hinted that certain nutrients might affect tinnitus, but those studies were small or short-term. This large, long-term study provides much stronger evidence that specific foods—particularly fruit—may matter for tinnitus risk.

This study only included female nurses, so results may not apply the same way to men or people in other professions. People reported their own diet and symptoms, which could introduce errors—people might not remember exactly what they ate or might not recognize tinnitus symptoms. The study shows associations but cannot prove that these foods directly cause or prevent tinnitus; other unmeasured factors could explain the connections. Additionally, the unexpected finding that whole grains and beans increased risk contradicts general health advice, which needs further investigation to understand why.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, eating more fruit appears to be a reasonable dietary choice that may help reduce tinnitus risk (moderate confidence). Limiting sugary drinks is also supported by this finding and aligns with general health advice (moderate confidence). The unexpected findings about whole grains and beans need more research before making specific recommendations to avoid them. If you have tinnitus or are concerned about developing it, discuss dietary changes with your doctor as part of a comprehensive approach to ear health.

This research is most relevant to women concerned about tinnitus prevention, particularly those with family history of hearing problems or tinnitus. It may also apply to men, though this study only included women. People already experiencing tinnitus should discuss dietary changes with their healthcare provider, as diet is unlikely to be a complete solution. Anyone considering major dietary changes should consult their doctor, especially if they have other health conditions.

Tinnitus develops gradually over years, so dietary changes would need to be sustained long-term to potentially show benefits. Don’t expect immediate results—the protective effect of fruit intake emerged over decades of follow-up in this study. If you make dietary changes, give them at least several months to become habits, and discuss realistic expectations with your healthcare provider.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily fruit intake (servings per day) and sugary beverage consumption (number of drinks per week) to monitor alignment with findings. Set a goal of 2-3 fruit servings daily and track progress weekly
  • Add one fruit serving to your daily routine—such as an apple with breakfast, berries as a snack, or fruit with lunch. Simultaneously, reduce sugary drink intake by replacing one sugary beverage per day with water or unsweetened alternatives
  • Use the app to log fruit and sugary drink intake weekly, creating a visual trend over months. Set reminders for fruit consumption and track any changes in ear symptoms or tinnitus perception alongside dietary patterns to identify personal correlations

This study shows associations between certain foods and tinnitus risk but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. Results apply specifically to women and may not be the same for men or other groups. If you have tinnitus or hearing concerns, consult an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Dietary changes should not replace medical care for tinnitus. Always discuss significant dietary changes with your healthcare provider, especially if you take medications or have other health conditions. This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.