How can I get rid of the ringing in my ears? Despite the fact that we don’t yet know how to cure tinnitus, it’s effects can be reduced by understanding what initiates it and worsens it.
Experts calculate that 32 percent of individuals suffer from a nonstop buzzing, ringing, or whooshing noise in their ears. This condition is known as tinnitus, and it can lead to real problems. People who have this condition could have associative hearing loss and frequently have problems sleeping and concentrating.
There are measures you can take to lessen the symptoms, but because it’s usually related to other health conditions, there is no immediate cure.
What Should I Stay Away From to Decrease The Ringing in My Ears?
There are some things that are known to cause tinnitus symptoms or make them worse and these are the things you should avoid. Loud noise is one of the most common things that worsen tinnitus. Refrain from using headphones, and if you are subjected to noise at work or at home, get some high-quality earplugs to decrease the damage.
You should also talk to your doctor concerning your medications, as some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ringing in your ears worse. Be sure you consult your doctor before you stop taking your medication.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- high blood pressure
- stress
- too much earwax
- infections
- other medical issues
- allergies
- issues with the jaw
Jaw Problems And Tinnitus
If for no other reason than their physical proximity, your ears and jaw exhibit a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re excellent neighbors, normally). That’s why problems with your jaw can result in 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 around the joints in your jaw. The ensuing stress produced by basic activities such as chewing or speaking can ultimately lead to tinnitus symptoms.
What can I do? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is the result of TMJ, is to find medical or dental help.
How is The Ringing in my Ears Related to Stress?
The affects of stress on the body are very real and very significant. Increase of tinnitus symptoms can be caused by spikes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Stress, consequently, can trigger, worsen, and lengthen bouts of tinnitus.
Can I do anything to help? If stress is a substantial cause of the buzzing or ringing in your ears, you can try solutions like yoga and meditation to try to de-stress. Taking some time to minimize the stress in your life (whenever you can) could also help.
Excess Earwax
Earwax is completely normal and healthy. But buzzing or ringing can be the result of too much earwax pressing on your eardrum. The resulting tinnitus can intensify if the earwax keeps accumulating or becomes difficult to wash away normally.
What can I do? Keeping your ears clean without using cotton swabs is the easiest way to decrease ringing in the ears triggered by earwax. In certain instances, you might need to get a professional cleaning so that you can get the buzzing and ringing to go away (some people just normally make a lot more earwax than others).
Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can create all kinds of health concerns, like tinnitus. It becomes difficult to ignore when high blood pressure intensifies the buzzing or ringing you’re already experiencing. High blood pressure has treatment options which might reduce tinnitus symptoms in relevant situations.
What can I do? High blood pressure is not something you want to dismiss. You’ll likely need to seek out medical treatment. But a lifestyle change, such as staying clear of foods with high salt content and exercising more, can go a long way. Stress can also increase your blood pressure, so try doing relaxation techniques or changing your lifestyle can also improve hypertension (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).
Will Using a Masking Device or White Noise Device Help my Tinnitus?
If you distract your ears and brain, you can minimize the effects 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 special devices you can purchase to help.
You should take it seriously if you have constant ringing, whooshing, or buzzing in your ears. It could be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are experiencing a medical issue that should be addressed before it worsens. Take steps to protect your ears from loud noises, look for ways to distract your ears, and see a professional before what started out as a nagging problem causes bigger problems.
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