Ringing Ears -- Withdrawal?
 

I've notice the past few nights when trying to sleep that I have ringing in my ears. Is that part of withdrawal or have something to do with alcohol, or is it just tinnitus? Thought I read something on SR about someone's ears ringing.
Kathy

It could have been me.

Ringing ears(Tinnitus) was a symptom of my drinking, and during the first months of recovery, but over the years the condition has improved.

Causes for Tinnitus or ringing in the ear:

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Age-related tinnitus causes - hearing loss (presbycusis) occurring usually around age 60.
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Trauma-related tinnitus causes - damage to the inner ear (could result from excessive exposure to loud sound).
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Long-term use of medications such as aspirin (in large doses), quinine (used in treatment of malaria), antibiotics and anti-inflammatory can be tinnitus causes. Often the unwanted noises disappear once the drugs are discontinued.
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Temporomandibular joint problems (jaw disorders resulting in clicking or grating noises) can be one of the tinnitus causes.
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Otosclerosis (stiffening of the bones in the middle ear).
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Trauma or injury to the head or neck can be a tinnitus cause.
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Ear wax – Buildup of excess wax in the ear can reduce your ability to hear outside noises, and can be tinnitus causes by causing you to hear internal noises better.
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Ear infection – If an infection reduces your ability to hear outside noises, you are more likely to hear the noises related to Tinnitus.
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Atherosclerosis – Buildup of cholesterol and other fatty deposits causes tinnitus by causing the middle and inner ear to loose its elasticity which causes the blood flow to become more forceful which makes it easier for the ear to detect the beats.
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High blood pressure – High blood pressure and factors that increase the blood pressure such as stress, alcohol and caffeine are tinnitus causes and can make the sounds more noticeable.
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Food--Specific foods may trigger tinnitus. Problem foods include red wine, grain-based spirits, cheese, and chocolate. Tinnitus may also be caused by foods rich in salicylates (the same ingredient as in aspirin, which also causes tinnitus when taken in large amounts).
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Growths/tumors--Acoustic neuromas, glomous tumors, otosclerosis may all be tinnitus causes. Surgery may be recommended.
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Stress--Stress is not a direct cause of tinnitus, but it may generally make an already existing case worse.
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Since tinnitus might be a symptom of another health problem, see your doctor for any hearing concerns. Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, aspirin, antihistamines, and prescription or even over-the-counter medications can aggravate existing tinnitus and are tinnitus causes.

I had this as well starting several weeks after quitting. I'd hear it when I went to bed, and it has just recently started to clear up.

My guess:

It is caused by sympathetic nervous system excitability following cessation of alcohol. Since tinnitus is not an actual sound, but rather the perception of one that is generated by the brain, ramped up brain activity, such as that induced by cessation of depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepams, barbiturates, etc., would serve to both increase the strength of the signal as well as lower the threshold for its detection.*

Think of it this way:

When you drink it calms you down, and your brain relaxes. When you stop drinking, your brain, being used to the booze, has a hard time calming down by itself and becomes both active and sensitive. The active part of the brain (sympathetic nervous system) causes the noise, and the sensitive part (limbic system) notices it more. Over time, as the brain returns to a more balanced state, the noise should fade back to previous levels.

* My view is supported by the fact that clonazepam (Klonopin), a benzodiazepam, alleviates the symptoms of tinnitus.

Very interesting. Thank you all!

first thing
go to an eye, ear, nose hospital
if available
if anything
an ear specialist

it does get better


best
fraankie

After stopping drinking my hearing was always very acute and sensitive and I would get tinnitus. It has always stopped once I stayed away from drinking. You may still want to check with a doc to be sure, ... general rule, if it doesn't clear up within one to two weeks go to a doctor...

Found this by googling crickets in ear. Never noticed it before I hope it goes away!

I have a mild form of it from too much power equipment and motorcycling over the years. But what I have definitely noticed is that excessive caffeine, sweets or salt intake makes it worse. If I minimize those things it recedes into the background and I forget I have it.