How can I get rid of the ringing in my ears? Even though we don’t yet know how to cure tinnitus, it’s effects can be lessened by recognizing what triggers it and worsens it.
Scientists calculate that 32 percent of individuals suffer from a constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing noise in their ears. This affliction, which is known as tinnitus, can be a real problem. Individuals who have this condition could have associative hearing loss and commonly have trouble sleeping and concentrating.
There are steps you can take to minimize the symptoms, but because it’s commonly related to other health conditions, there is no immediate cure.
What Should I Stay Away From to Minimize The Ringing in My Ears?
The first step in addressing that constant ringing in your ears is to stay away from the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. One of the most common factors that aggravate tinnitus is loud noises. Refrain from using headphones, and if you are exposed to noise at work or at home, get some high-quality earplugs to reduce the damage.
You should also consult your doctor about your medications, as certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ear ringing worse. Be sure you speak with your doctor before you discontinue your medication.
Here are some other common causes:
- problems with the jaw
- high blood pressure
- excessive earwax
- allergies
- stress
- other medical issues
- infections
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
If for no other reason than their how close they are, your jaw and ears have a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re excellent neighbors, normally). This is the reason jaw issues can lead to tinnitus. The best example of this is an affliction called Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ for short), which comprises a breakdown of the shock-absorbing cartilage in the joints in your jaw. Tinnitus can be the outcome of the stress of basic activities like chewing.
What can I do? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is caused by TMJ, is to seek medical or dental help.
How is The Ringing in my Ears Linked to Stress?
Stress can affect your body in very real, very tangible ways. Associated increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing can all lead to an increase of tinnitus symptoms. Consequently, stress can cause, worsen, and lengthen tinnitus episodes.
Can I do anything to help? If stress is a major cause of the buzzing or ringing in your ears, you can try remedies such as meditation and yoga to try to unwind. It might also help if you can lessen the general causes of your stress.
Excess Earwax
It’s completely healthy and normal for you to produce earwax. But too much earwax can irritate your eardrum, and begin to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. If you can’t wash away the earwax in a normal way because it has accumulated too much, the resulting tinnitus can worsen.
How can I deal with this? The easiest way to minimize the ringing in your ears caused by too much earwax is to make sure your ears are clean! (Do not use cotton swabs in your ears.) Some individuals produce more earwax than others; if this sounds like you, a professional cleaning may be necessary.
Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure
All kinds of health concerns, 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 hard to dismiss. There isn’t a cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment options for high blood pressure.
What’s my solution? Disregarding high blood pressure isn’t something you want to do. You’ll probably need to seek out medical treatment. But you could also change your lifestyle a little: steer clear of foods with high fat or salt content and exercise more. Stress can also raise your blood pressure, so try doing relaxation techniques or changing your lifestyle can also help hypertension (and, thus, tinnitus brought about by hypertension).
Will Using a White Noise or Masking Device Help my Tinnitus?
You can decrease the impact of the continual 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 don’t even need any special equipment. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or specialized devices you can purchase to help.
You should take it seriously if you have continuous ringing, whooshing, or buzzing in your ears. If you’re suffering from hearing loss or have health problems that are acting up, it could be a warning sign. Take measures to protect 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 problem leads to bigger problems.