What’s the best way to stop the ringing in my ears? There’s no cure for tinnitus, but learning about what causes or aggravates your symptoms can help you reduce or eliminate episodes.
A constant whooshing, buzzing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of people according to researchers. This condition is called tinnitus, and it can lead to real problems. Individuals who suffer from this condition may have associative hearing loss and commonly have difficulty sleeping and concentrating.
Because it is normally related to some other affliction, there is no real cure for the tinnitus itself, but there are strategies you can take to quiet the noise.
Avoid These Things to Reduce The Ringing
The first step in managing that continuous ringing in your ears is to steer clear of the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that aggravate tinnitus. If you deal with a loud work place, use earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.
Some medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and even high doses of aspirin can make the ringing worse so talk to your doctor. Never stop taking your medications without first talking with your health care professional.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- other medical problems
- infections
- excessive earwax
- allergies
- high blood pressure
- stress
- jaw problems
Jaw Problems And Tinnitus
If for no other reason than their physical proximity, your jaw and ears have a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re ideal neighbors, usually). This is why jaw issues can lead to tinnitus. TMJ, which is a condition that causes the cartilage of the jaw to deteriorate, is the best example of this type of jaw problem. The resulting stress caused by basic activities like speaking or chewing can ultimately result in tinnitus symptoms.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is the result of TMJ symptoms, then the best way to get relief is to find medical or dental treatment for the root cause (no pun intended).
Stress And The Ringing in my Ears
The impacts of stress on the body are very real and very serious. Increase of tinnitus symptoms can be caused by spikes in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Stress, as a result, can trigger, exacerbate, and extend bouts of tinnitus.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is caused by stress, you should find ways of de-stressing. Taking some time to decrease the stress in your life (whenever you can) can also help.
Excessive Earwax
It’s totally healthy and normal for you to have earwax. But too much earwax can aggravate your eardrum, and begin to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. If you can’t wash out the earwax normally because it has accumulated too much, the ensuing tinnitus can become worse.
What can be done? The easiest way to reduce the ringing in your ears caused by excessive earwax is to make sure your ears are clean! (Don’t use cotton swabs to clean your ears.) Some people generate more earwax than others; if this applies to you, a professional cleaning may be in order.
Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can cause various health issues, such as tinnitus. High blood pressure has a way of intensifying the buzzing or ringing you’re already hearing, making it hard to dismiss. High blood pressure has treatment which might reduce tinnitus symptoms in relevant situations.
What can I do? High blood pressure is not something you want to neglect. You’ll probably want to seek out medical treatment. But a lifestyle change, like avoiding foods with high salt content and getting more exercise, can go a long way. Stress can also raise your blood pressure, so practicing relaxation techniques or changing your lifestyle can also improve hypertension (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).
Can I Alleviate my Tinnitus by Using a Masking Device or White Noise Generator?
You can reduce the effects of the constant noise in your head by distracting your ears and your brain. You don’t even have to buy special equipment, your radio, TV or computer can work as masking devices. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or specialized devices you can get to help.
You need to take it seriously if you have continuous ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears. If you’re dealing with hearing loss or have health issues that are acting up, it could be a warning sign. Before what started as an annoying problem becomes a more serious concern, take steps to protect your ears and if the ringing persists, get professional hearing help.