How can I stop the ringing in my ears? Although we don’t yet understand how to cure tinnitus, it’s symptoms can be reduced by learning what triggers it and worsens it.
Scientists estimate that 32 percent of individuals have a constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in their ears. This condition, which is known as tinnitus, can be a real problem. People who hear these noises have difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and they could also have associated hearing loss.
Because it is usually connected to some other affliction, there is no real cure for the tinnitus itself, but there are measures you can take to quiet the noise.
What Should I Stay Away From to Minimize The Ringing in My Ears?
The first step in dealing with that continuous ringing in your ears is to stay away from the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. Loud noise is one of the most common things that intensify tinnitus. If you’re exposed to a noisy work environment, use earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.
Certain medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and even high doses of aspirin can worsen the ringing so consult your doctor. Never stop taking your medications without first talking with your health care professional.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- allergies
- jaw issues
- infections
- stress
- high blood pressure
- other medical problems
- excessive earwax
Jaw Issues And Tinnitus
Your ears and jaw are closely associated. This is the reason jaw issues can result in tinnitus. TMJ, which is an affliction that causes the cartilage of the jaw to deteriorate, is the best example of this kind of jaw issue. Tinnitus can be the outcome of the stress of simple activities like chewing.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is caused by TMJ symptoms, then the best way to achieve relief is to find medical or dental treatment for the root cause (no pun intended).
Stress And That Ringing in my Ears
Stress can impact your body in very real, very tangible ways. Increase of tinnitus symptoms can be brought on by surges in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Consequently, stress can trigger, exacerbate, and lengthen tinnitus episodes.
Can I do anything to help? If your tinnitus is brought on by stress, you need to determine ways of de-stressing. Taking some time to minimize the stress in your life (where and when you can) can also help.
Excessive Earwax
It’s totally healthy and normal for you to have earwax. But too much earwax can irritate your eardrum, and start to cause ringing or buzzing in your ears. The resulting tinnitus can intensify if the earwax keeps accumulating or becomes hard to wash away in a normal way.
What can I do? Keeping your ears clean without utilizing cotton swabs is the easiest way to reduce ringing in the ears induced by earwax. In some situations, you might need to get a professional cleaning so that you can get the ringing or buzzing to go away (some people just naturally generate a lot more earwax than others).
High Blood Pressure Causes Tinnitus to Worsen
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can create various health conditions, like tinnitus. It becomes hard to dismiss when high blood pressure intensifies the buzzing or ringing you’re already experiencing. There isn’t a cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments for high blood pressure.
What’s my solution? High blood pressure isn’t something you want to dismiss. You’ll likely want to get medical treatment. But a lifestyle change, including staying clear of foods with high salt content and exercising more, can really help. Hypertension and stress can elevate your blood pressure leading to tinnitus, so try to find lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to reduce stress (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).
Can I Relieve my Tinnitus by utilizing a White Noise Generator or Masking Device?
If you distract your brain and ears, you can decrease the impact of the constant noise in your ears. Your TV, radio, or computer can be used as a masking device so you won’t even need any special equipment. You can, if you prefer, buy specialized masking devices or hearing aids to help.
If you experience a constant ringing, whooshing, or buzzing sound in your ears, be serious about the problem. It may be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are going through a medical issue that needs to be dealt with before it gets worse. Before what began as an irritating problem becomes a more severe concern, take steps to safeguard your ears and if the ringing persists, find professional hearing help.