There are few conditions that are more complex to comprehend for those who don’t have tinnitus. The problem with tinnitus is that if you are not afflicted with it, you won’t hear, see or feel the symptoms in the same way you would other ailments.
But for the nearly 50 million Americans who suffer from some form of tinnitus, the condition is very real and is often very challenging to deal with. Ringing in the ears is the best definition of tinnitus, but the American Tinnitus Association says, it can present sufferers with clicking, whistling, hissing, swooshing, and buzzing. These sounds aren’t noticeable by others and that could be the most disheartening part of tinnitus, which can lead to disorientation, delayed diagnosis, confusion, and depression.
While that 50 million number is huge, it’s even more astounding when put in the context that it means about 15 percent of the overall public battles with tinnitus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that around 20 million of those people have what’s known as burdensome chronic tinnitus, while another two million experience symptoms that are severe and debilitating.
In order to enhance their hearing and drown out the ringing, people with tinnitus often try hearing aids. There are everyday things you can do to reduce the ringing along with using hearing aids.
If you have tinnitus here are 10 things to avoid:
- Infections; There’s a long-standing commentary about the need to find a cure for the common cold, specifically because a lingering cold can quickly change into a sinus infection. Make sure you’re limiting your exposure to sinus and ear infections because they have been known to worsen tinnitus.
- Poor sleeping habits; When mom said you should get your eight hours of sleep each night, she wasn’t joking. Getting an adequate amount of sleep can assist you to stay away from tinnitus triggers and also offers a wide variety of other health benefits.
- Jaw issues; If you’re having jaw pain, you should already be visiting a doctor, but particularly if you also suffer from tinnitus. Since the jaw and ears share components like nerves and ligaments, alleviating jaw pain may have an effect on your tinnitus.
- Dangerous blood pressure levels; Monitoring your blood pressure is an important preventive strategy that will help keep you safe from many ailments, but it also just may keep your tinnitus symptoms at bay. You should be persistent about regularly checking your blood pressure because both high and low blood pressure can make tinnitus worse.
- Smoking; Your blood pressure can definitely be harmed by smoking. In addition, it can shrink the blood vessels to the ears, which can cause tinnitus symptoms to get worse.
- Caffeine; Here’s yet another influencer of blood pressure that can cause a rise in levels. You will most likely notice a change in sleeping habits if you drink too much caffeine.
- Certain medicines; Particular medications like aspirin, for example, are good at relieving pain but they could also induce tinnitus. Tinnitus can also be impacted by other medication including prescription cancer drugs or antibiotics. But before you stop using a medication that was prescribed by your doctor, you should schedule a consultation.
- Alcohol; Your cholesterol and heart health can be positively affected by drinking a small amount of wine each day, or so the old saying goes. But with regards to alcohol and tinnitus, you can have too much of a good thing. For many people drinking too much alcohol causes tinnitus symptoms to be louder because it tends to increase your blood pressure.
- Excess earwax; There’s no doubt that earwax serves a beneficial role in the in the overall health of your ears. Actually, the gunk we all hate actually catches dirt and protects your ears. Even so, tinnitus can get worse if too much wax builds up. Your doctor may be able to help you get rid of some of the accumulation and give you prevention tips to ensure it doesn’t accumulate to an unsafe level again.
- Loud noises; This one most likely seems obvious, but it’s worth repeating that loud noises can worsen the sounds you’re already hearing internally. Be mindful of scenarios where you’ll hear sounds at an increased level. This can include concerts, loud restaurants, and construction sites. If you can’t abstain from loud settings, think about using earplugs to shield you from some of the noise. Individuals who have loud jobs are particularly benefited by ear plugs.
Even though there’s no established cure for tinnitus, there are ways to manage the symptoms and take back your life. Give these 10 suggestions a shot, and you might be surprised with the improvements in your symptoms and your overall health. If these don’t help, make an appointment with a hearing specialist.