When it comes to drinking alcohol at Wayside Pub in the Madge Griffin Park Neighborhood, moderation is key. This is in part because research shows that alcohol consumption can negatively affect your hearing. We review more about this connection below.
What Is the Effect of Alcohol on the Brain?
The auditory cortex of the brain, which helps you process sounds, can be affected if you drink excessively. So even if you have healthy ears, you can still experience trouble hearing if this part of your brain is damaged.
In one study conducted by researchers at the University of Ulm in Germany, they found that heavy drinking over a long period of time causes damage to this part of the brain.
Damage to the auditory cortex caused by alcohol presents as increased time to process sounds, trouble understanding people who speak quickly and difficulty distinguishing one voice from another in environments with a lot of background noise.
What Is Cocktail Deafness?
In another study out of London, researchers found that alcohol use disorder can lead to problems hearing low-frequency sounds, which is a condition referred to as “cocktail deafness.” Though this type of hearing loss is usually temporary, it is hypothesized that repeated exposure to excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to permanent damage.
What Other Audiological Problems Can Alcohol Cause?
Not only is drinking alcohol linked to hearing loss, but it is also associated with other audiological problems, such as dizziness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This is because alcohol changes the volume and composition of the fluid in the inner ear, leading to dizziness. Also, it causes blood vessels in the ears to swell, produce more blood flow and cause ringing or pulsing sounds.
How Can I Quit Alcohol?
Consider the following questions:
- Do I ever end up drinking more or for longer than I initially intended to?
- 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 you answered yes to one or more of these questions, this is a sign you may need to quit drinking alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism have resources to help.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Lake Jackson ENT & Med Spa today.
