How can I eliminate the ringing in my ears? Even though we don’t yet understand how to cure tinnitus, it’s effects can be reduced by understanding what triggers it and worsens it.
Scientists estimate that 32 percent of people have a continual buzzing, ringing, or whooshing sound in their ears. This condition is known as tinnitus, and it can wreak havoc. People who hear these sounds have trouble sleeping and concentrating, and they may also have associated hearing loss.
There are steps you can take to decrease the symptoms, but because it’s normally linked to other health conditions, there is no immediate cure.
What Should I Stay Away From to Decrease The Ringing in My Ears?
The first step in dealing with that constant ringing in your ears is to steer clear of the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. One of the most common factors that intensify tinnitus is loud sounds. If you’re exposed to a loud work place, wear earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.
You should also talk to your doctor concerning your medications, as certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ear ringing worse. Make sure you speak with your doctor before you stop taking your medication.
Other typical causes of tinnitus include:
- problems with the jaw
- infections
- stress
- excessive earwax
- high blood pressure
- other medical problems
- allergies
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 excellent neighbors, normally). That’s why problems with your jaw can lead to tinnitus. The best example of this is a condition called Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ for short), which entails a breakdown of the shock-absorbing cartilage in the joints in your jaw. Tinnitus can be the result of the stress of simple activities like chewing.
Is there anything that can be done? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is brought on by TMJ, is to find medical or dental assistance.
Stress And The Ringing in my Ears
The affects of stress on the body are very real and very serious. Associated surges in heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure can all bring on an intensification of tinnitus symptoms. Consequently, stress can trigger, worsen, and extend tinnitus episodes.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is brought on by stress, you need to find ways of unwinding. Taking some time to decrease the stress in your life (whenever you can) can also help.
Excess Earwax
It’s absolutely healthy and normal for you to produce earwax. But excessive earwax can aggravate your eardrum, and start to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. The ensuing tinnitus can intensify if the earwax continues to accumulate or becomes hard to wash away normally.
How can I deal with this? Keeping your ears clean without using cotton swabs is the easiest way to reduce ringing in the ears induced by earwax. In some instances, you might need to get a professional cleaning in order to get the buzzing and ringing to go away (some people just naturally make a lot more earwax than others).
Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can cause all kinds of health concerns, such as tinnitus. It becomes hard to ignore when high blood pressure escalates the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing. High blood pressure has treatment options which might lessen tinnitus symptoms in related situations.
What’s my solution? High blood pressure isn’t something you want to dismiss. Medical treatment is suggested. But you can also change your lifestyle a bit: avoid foods that have high salt or fat content and exercise more. Stress can also increase your blood pressure, so practicing relaxation techniques or making lifestyle changes can also improve hypertension (and, thus, tinnitus caused by hypertension).
Can I Relieve my Tinnitus by utilizing a White Noise Generator or Masking Device?
If you distract your ears and brain, 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 like, get special masking devices or hearing aids to help.
If you’re experiencing a continuous 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 should be resolved before it gets worse. Before what started as an irritating problem becomes a more severe concern, take measures to protect your ears and if the ringing persists, seek professional hearing help.