What’s the best way to stop the ringing in my ears? Even though we don’t yet know how to cure tinnitus, it’s effects can be minimized by recognizing what triggers it and worsens it.
Researchers calculate that 32 percent of individuals experience a constant buzzing, ringing, or whooshing noise in their ears. This condition is known as tinnitus, and it can lead to real problems. People who hear these noises have trouble sleeping and concentrating, and they may also have associated hearing loss.
Because it is usually related to some other condition, there is no real cure for the tinnitus itself, but there are steps you can take to quiet the noise.
What Should I Stay Away From to Minimize The Ringing in My Ears?
The first step in managing that continuous ringing in your ears is to avoid the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. One of the most prevalent factors that worsen tinnitus is loud sounds. Try to avoid using headphones, and if you are subjected to noise at work or at home, get some high-quality earplugs to reduce the damage.
You should also talk to your doctor about your medications, as some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ringing in your ears worse. Never stop taking your medications without first talking with your health care professional.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- excessive earwax
- other medical issues
- high blood pressure
- allergies
- jaw problems
- stress
- infections
Jaw Problems And Tinnitus
If for no other reason than their physical proximity, your ears and jaw exhibit a certain amount of interplay between them (they’re good neighbors, usually). That’s why issues with your jaw can lead to tinnitus. The best example of this is an affliction called Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ for short), which entails a breakdown of the shock-absorbing cartilage around the joints in your jaw. The resulting stress produced by simple activities such as 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 That Ringing in my Ears
The impacts of stress on the body are very real and very significant. Intensification of tinnitus symptoms can be brought on by spikes in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Stress, as a result, can activate, exacerbate, and lengthen bouts of tinnitus.
Can I do anything to help? If your tinnitus is brought on by stress, you need to determine ways of de-stressing. It may also help if you can lessen the general causes of stress in your life.
Excessive Earwax
It’s totally normal and healthy for you to have earwax. But too much earwax can irritate your eardrum, and start to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. If you can’t wash out the earwax in a normal way because it has built up too much, the ensuing tinnitus can worsen.
What can I do? Cleaning without utilizing cotton swabs is the easiest way to decrease ringing in the ears induced by earwax. Some people produce more earwax than others; if this sounds like you, a professional cleaning may be necessary.
High Blood Pressure Makes Tinnitus Worse
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can create a myriad of health issues, such as tinnitus. High blood pressure has a way of intensifying the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing, making it difficult to disregard. There’s no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment options for high blood pressure.
What can I do? Ignoring high blood pressure is not something you should do. You’ll likely want to seek out medical treatment. But you can also change your lifestyle a little: avoid foods with high salt or fat content and exercise more. Stress can also increase your blood pressure, so try doing relaxation techniques or making lifestyle changes can also improve hypertension (and, thus, tinnitus triggered by hypertension).
Can I Relieve my Tinnitus by Using a White Noise Generator or Masking Device?
You can decrease the impact of the constant noise in your head by distracting your ears and your brain. You don’t even need to get special equipment, your radio, TV or laptop can act as masking devices. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or specialized devices you can get to help.
You should take it seriously if you have continuous ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears. If you’re experiencing hearing loss or have health problems that are acting up, it might be a warning sign. Before what started as an aggravating problem becomes a more serious issue, take measures to protect your ears and if the ringing continues, get professional hearing help.