What’s the best way to get rid of the ringing in my ears? There’s no cure for tinnitus, but learning about what causes or exacerbates your symptoms can help you minimize or avoid flare-ups.
Scientists calculate that 32 percent of people experience a continual buzzing, ringing, or whooshing sound in their ears. This disorder, which is called tinnitus, can be a serious problem. People who hear these sounds have difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and they might also have associated hearing loss.
There are measures you can take to reduce the symptoms, but because it’s usually linked to other health conditions, there is no direct cure.
Avoid These Things to Reduce The Ringing
The first step in addressing that persistent 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 worsen tinnitus. If you deal with a loud work place, use earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.
You should also talk to your doctor concerning your medications, as some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ear ringing worse. Never stop taking your medications without first speaking to your health care professional.
Other typical causes of tinnitus include:
- high blood pressure
- too much earwax
- infections
- other medical issues
- stress
- allergies
- jaw issues
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
Your ears and jaw are closely linked. This is why jaw issues can cause tinnitus. TMJ, which is an affliction that causes the cartilage of the jaw to deteriorate, is a good example of this type of jaw problem. The resulting stress caused by basic activities such as speaking or chewing can ultimately result in tinnitus symptoms.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is triggered by TMJ symptoms, then the best way to achieve relief is to seek out medical or dental treatment for the root cause (no pun intended).
How is The Ringing in my Ears Linked to Stress?
Stress can affect your body in very real, very physical ways. Intensification of tinnitus symptoms can be brought on by spikes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Stress, as a result, can trigger, worsen, and lengthen bouts of tinnitus.
Can I do anything to help? If your tinnitus is caused by stress, you need to find ways of unwinding. Taking some time to decrease the stress in your life (whenever you can) will also help.
Excessive Earwax
It’s absolutely normal and healthy for you to produce earwax. But too much earwax can irritate 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 in a normal way.
How can I deal with this? The easiest way to reduce the ringing in your ears caused by too much earwax is to keep your ears clean! (Do not use cotton swabs to clean your ears.) Some individuals generate more earwax than others; if this sounds like you, a professional cleaning might be necessary.
High Blood Pressure Makes Tinnitus Worse
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can create all kinds of health concerns, such as tinnitus. High blood pressure can intensify the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing, making it hard to dismiss. High blood pressure has treatment options which might lessen tinnitus symptoms in relevant situations.
What can I do? High blood pressure isn’t something you want to ignore. You’ll probably need to get medical treatment. But you can also change your lifestyle a bit: avoid foods with high salt or fat 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, tinnitus caused by hypertension).
Will Using a Masking Device or White Noise Device Help my Tinnitus?
You can decrease the effects of the continual 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 act as masking devices. You can, if you choose, buy specialized masking devices or hearing aids to help.
If you’re experiencing 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 may be a warning sign. Before what began as an aggravating problem becomes a more serious issue, take measures to safeguard your ears and if the ringing persists, find professional hearing help.