What’s the best way to stop the ringing in my ears? There’s no cure for tinnitus, but understanding what causes or exacerbates your symptoms can help you minimize or avoid flare-ups.
A consistent buzzing, whooshing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of people according to experts. This condition is known as tinnitus, and it can wreak havoc. Individuals who have this condition could have associative hearing loss and frequently have trouble sleeping and concentrating.
There are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms, but because it’s commonly linked to other health conditions, there is no direct cure.
Avoid These Things to Reduce The Ringing
The first step in dealing with that constant ringing in your ears is to avoid the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that intensify tinnitus. Try to avoid using headphones, and if you are exposed to noise at work or at home, use some high-quality earplugs to reduce the damage.
You should also consult your doctor about your medications, as some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ringing in your ears worse. Make certain you talk to your doctor before you stop taking your medication.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- problems with the jaw
- allergies
- other medical issues
- too much earwax
- infections
- high blood pressure
- stress
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
If for no other reason than their how close they are, your jaw and ears exhibit a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re excellent neighbors, normally). This is the reason jaw problems can result in tinnitus. TMJ, which is a condition that causes the cartilage of the jaw to deteriorate, is a good example of this type of jaw problem. The ensuing stress created by basic activities such as speaking or chewing can ultimately result in tinnitus symptoms.
Is there anything that can be done? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is the result of TMJ, is to seek medical or dental assistance.
How is The Ringing in my Ears Linked to Stress?
The affects of stress on the body are very real and very significant. Associated increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing can all bring on an increase of tinnitus symptoms. Stress, as a result, can trigger, exacerbate, and extend bouts of tinnitus.
Can I do anything to help? If your tinnitus is triggered by stress, you need to find ways of de-stressing. Taking some time to reduce the stress in your life (where and when you can) could also help.
Excess Earwax
It’s totally normal and healthy for you to produce earwax. But ringing and buzzing can be the result of excessive earwax pushing on your eardrum. If you can’t wash out the earwax normally because it has built up too much, the ensuing tinnitus can become worse.
How can I deal with this? The simplest way to decrease the ringing in your ears caused by too much earwax is to keep your ears 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 might be necessary.
High Blood Pressure Makes Tinnitus Worse
Various health conditions, like tinnitus, can be caused by high blood pressure and hypertension. It becomes hard to dismiss when high blood pressure escalates the buzzing or ringing you’re already hearing. There isn’t a cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments for high blood pressure.
What’s my solution? Neglecting high blood pressure isn’t something you want to do. Medical treatment is recommended. But you could also change your lifestyle a bit: stay away from foods that have high fat or salt content and get more exercise. Hypertension and stress can raise your blood pressure leading to tinnitus, so try to find lifestyle changes and ways of relaxing to decrease stress (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).
Can I Decrease my Tinnitus by utilizing a Masking Device or White Noise Generator?
You can minimize the impact of the constant noise in your head by distracting your ears and your brain. Your TV, radio, or computer can be used as a masking device so you won’t even require any special equipment. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or specialized devices you can get to help.
If you experience a continuous ringing, whooshing, or buzzing sound in your ears, take the problem seriously. If you’re suffering from hearing loss or have health problems that are acting up, it might be a warning sign. Before what started as an annoying problem becomes a more severe issue, take measures to safeguard your ears and if the ringing continues, find professional hearing help.