How to Relieve Tinnitus After Drinking Alcohol

After drinking alcohol, I often feel uncomfortable sleeping at night and frequently wake up feeling nauseous. Now I’ve developed persistent tinnitus—what could be causing this? How can tinnitus following alcohol consumption be relieved?

How to Relieve Tinnitus After Drinking Alcohol

If tinnitus occurs regularly after alcohol consumption, prompt medical intervention is essential. Patients must abstain from alcohol entirely and maintain a regular, healthy sleep-wake schedule. Oral medications that improve microcirculation and nourish the nervous system—such as sodium citicoline capsules or mecobalamin dispersible tablets—may be prescribed. If significant sore throat accompanies the tinnitus, oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine preparations such as Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Oral Liquid or Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid may help reduce pharyngeal mucosal inflammation and alleviate the ringing sensation in the ears. With timely and appropriate treatment, symptoms typically improve. Should there be no noticeable improvement, patients should consult an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) for comprehensive evaluation, including otoscopy and, if necessary, temporal bone CT imaging.

Tinnitus following alcohol intake is primarily associated with several mechanisms: Alcohol-induced central nervous system excitation leads to vasodilation and subsequent vasoconstriction in the head and face, resulting in transient cerebral hypoperfusion and impaired inner ear circulation—thereby triggering temporary tinnitus.

Ethanol—the primary psychoactive component in alcoholic beverages—is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized in the liver into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde causes vasodilation not only in the head and face but also in the auditory region. This transient vascular dilation may precipitate short-term tinnitus. We hope this information proves helpful to you!