- A study from Lahore General Hospital found that people with a BMI over 30 were nearly 50 percent more likely to have tinnitus than those of a healthy weight.
- Among 5,452 U.S. adults analyzed, 17 percent reported tinnitus, and nearly half of them were obese; even after adjusting for lifestyle factors, obesity increased tinnitus risk by 41 percent.
- Researchers suggest obesity-related inflammation and vascular damage may reduce blood flow to the ear, impairing auditory function.
- While there is no cure for tinnitus, mindfulness practices, regular exercise and healthy eating may ease symptoms, while excess salt, alcohol and caffeine intake can worsen them.
- The study comes as England enforces new anti-obesity measures, with experts warning that excess weight contributes to multiple diseases, including diabetes, cancer and now tinnitus.
Being obese could significantly raise the risk of developing tinnitus, according to new research from scientists in Pakistan. The study, which examined health data from more than 5,000 men, found that those with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 were nearly 50 percent more likely to experience tinnitus than men of a healthy weight. A BMI between 18.5 and 25 is considered healthy, while scores from 25 to 29 are classed as overweight and 30 or above as obese—a level known to increase the risk of several serious health problems.
The researchers, based at Lahore General Hospital, analyzed the records of 5,452 U.S. adults aged 20 and over. Of these, 863 participants—about 17 percent—reported tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears with no external source. Among those with tinnitus, nearly half were obese. Even after adjusting for factors such as smoking habits and sleep duration, obese individuals were still 41 percent more likely to suffer from tinnitus than non-obese participants.
Although the exact reason for this link remains unclear, the team suggested that obesity may contribute to inflammation and vascular damage, which can reduce blood flow and impair auditory function. They also noted that obesity could influence tinnitus indirectly through related conditions such as metabolic syndrome, inflammation or mental health issues. Writing in the medical journal Cureus, the authors said the findings “underscore the importance of considering body weight and metabolic health in tinnitus research and clinical management.”
Tinnitus affects an estimated 7.6 million people in the United Kingdom. While most experience it as a mild nuisance, around 1.5 million live with severe and debilitating symptoms. Once tinnitus persists for more than a month, studies suggest there is an 80 to 90 percent chance it will become permanent. The condition is known to be more common among older adults, men and those suffering from depression.
Researchers say weight loss and healthy habits may ease tinnitus symptoms
The researchers called for more studies to explore the mechanisms linking obesity to tinnitus and to determine whether weight loss might reduce the risk or severity of symptoms. While there is currently no cure, lifestyle changes can help manage the condition. A 2024 study found that a third of tinnitus patients who practiced mindfulness for two months reported fewer symptoms, while another showed improvements among people who exercised for more than two and a half hours per week. Conversely, high salt intake, alcohol, caffeine and foods rich in salicylates—such as coffee, avocados and blueberries—may worsen symptoms.
The findings come amid a national crackdown on obesity in England. Recent government measures have banned “buy one, get one free” promotions on unhealthy snacks and ended free refills of sugary drinks in restaurants and cafés. From January, new restrictions on online and pre-watershed TV adverts for junk food will also come into effect.
Officials say these steps are urgently needed to tackle the country’s growing obesity crisis. A report last year revealed a 39 percent surge in type 2 diabetes among Britons under 40, with around 168,000 young adults now affected. Excess weight has also been linked to at least 13 forms of cancer and is the U.K.’s second biggest preventable cause of the disease, according to Cancer Research UK.
The latest study adds tinnitus to the growing list of conditions tied to obesity—offering yet another reason to take weight management and metabolic health seriously.
According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, obesity has been linked to an increased risk of hearing loss due to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the inner ear, as well as inflammation and oxidative stress caused by excess weight. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher had a 17 percent higher risk of developing hearing loss compared to those with a normal BMI. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight through natural means such as balanced nutrition and regular exercise can help preserve hearing health and prevent age-related hearing loss.
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Sources include:
DailyMail.co.uk
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