GERD and Tinnitus: Is There a Link Between the Two? – Healthline

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and tinnitus are both very common. It’s unclear whether there’s a link between them or how strong that association may be, but some research suggests people with GERD may develop tinnitus and other ear concerns more frequently than people without GERD.

GERD happens when your stomach contents come back up into your esophagus. It is estimated to affect 18.1% to 27.8% of people in the United States.

Tinnitus is when you hear a ringing or oth…….

GERD happens when your stomach contents come back up into your esophagus. It is estimated to affect 18.1% to 27.8% of people in the United States.

Tinnitus is when you hear a ringing or other noise in your ear in the absence of an external sound. It’s estimated to affect about 1 in 10 adults in the United States. In fact, almost everybody has experienced tinnitus at some point.

GERD may potentially result in stomach acid reaching your middle ear. This may play a role in hearing loss and the development of tinnitus. Some medications used to treat GERD may also lead to hearing loss and tinnitus.

Keep reading to learn more about what researchers have found so far about the connection between these two conditions.

It’s not clear if GERD causes tinnitus. Some researchers think there could be a connection, at least theoretically.

GERD develops when the tight band of muscle between your stomach and esophagus frequently relaxes and allows stomach acid to leak into your esophagus. In severe cases, it can reach all the way to the throat. When this happens, it is known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Your ears are connected to the back of your throat through passageways called your eustachian tubes. These tubes help drain fluid from your ears and regulate pressure.

In people with GERD and LPR, stomach acid can reach the eustachian tubes or middle ear. The high acidity can potentially damage these structures if exposed frequently.

According to 2018 research, studies in mice have associated GERD with eustachian tube dysfunction, impaired clearance of the middle ear, and hearing loss. Eustachian tube dysfunction and hearing loss are both associated with the development of tinnitus, according to research from 2021 and 2022.

What does human research say?

Researchers haven’t directly examined whether GERD causes tinnitus, but they have found evidence that GERD is associated with other conditions that may contribute to the development of tinnitus.