What’s the best way to relieve the ringing in my ears? There’s no cure for tinnitus, but knowing what causes or exacerbates your symptoms can help you lessen or prevent episodes.
A continuous whooshing, buzzing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of people according to researchers. This disorder, which is called tinnitus, can be a serious problem. People who hear these sounds have difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and they may also have associated hearing loss.
Because it is normally related to some other affliction, there is no real cure for the tinnitus itself, but there are strategies you can take to quiet the noise.
Steer Clear of These Things to Reduce The Ringing
There are some things that have been shown to cause tinnitus symptoms or make them worse and these are the things you should avoid. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that aggravate tinnitus. Refrain from using headphones, and if you are exposed to noise at work or at home, get some high-quality earplugs to decrease 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 ear ringing worse. Make certain you speak with your doctor before you discontinue your medication.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- infections
- allergies
- other medical issues
- too much earwax
- high blood pressure
- stress
- issues with the jaw
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
If for no other reason than their physical proximity, your jaw and ears exhibit a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re good neighbors, usually). That’s why issues with your jaw can lead to tinnitus. The best example of this is a condition called Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ for short), which involves a breakdown of the shock-absorbing cartilage around the joints in your jaw. The ensuing stress produced by basic activities like chewing or speaking can ultimately result in tinnitus symptoms.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is caused by TMJ symptoms, then the best way to get relief is to seek out medical or dental treatment for the root cause (no pun intended).
How is The Ringing in my Ears Related to Stress?
The affects of stress on the body are very real and very significant. Associated spikes in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing can all lead to an intensification of tinnitus symptoms. Consequently, stress can cause, exacerbate, and lengthen tinnitus episodes.
What can be done? If stress is a substantial cause of the ringing or buzzing in your ears, you can try solutions like meditation and yoga to try to de-stress. Taking some time to reduce the stress in your life (where and when you can) could also help.
Excessive Earwax
Earwax is absolutely healthy and normal. But buzzing or ringing can be the outcome of excessive earwax pushing on your eardrum. The resulting tinnitus can intensify if the earwax continues to accumulate or becomes difficult to wash away in a normal way.
How can I deal with this? Keeping your ears clean without using cotton swabs is the easiest way to minimize ringing in the ears triggered by earwax. Some people generate more earwax than others; if this sounds like you, a professional cleaning might be necessary.
Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure
A myriad of health issues, such as tinnitus, can be caused by high blood pressure and hypertension. High blood pressure has a way of intensifying the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing, making it difficult to disregard. High blood pressure has treatment which may lessen tinnitus symptoms in relevant situations.
What can I do? Neglecting high blood pressure is not something you want to do. You’ll probably want to seek out medical treatment. But a lifestyle change, such as staying clear of foods with high salt content and exercising more, can help a lot. Stress can also increase your blood pressure, so try doing relaxation techniques or changing your lifestyle can also help hypertension (and, thus, tinnitus caused by hypertension).
Can I Decrease my Tinnitus by utilizing a Masking Device or White Noise Generator?
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 don’t even need any special equipment. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or specialized devices you can get to help.
You should take it seriously if you have constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears. It may be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are going through a medical problem that needs to be dealt with before it worsens. Take measures to safeguard your ears from loud noises, find ways to distract your ears, and get in touch with a hearing specialist before what started as a nagging concern causes bigger problems.