How can I eliminate the ringing in my ears? Despite the fact that we don’t yet understand how to cure tinnitus, it’s symptoms can be lessened by recognizing what triggers it and worsens it.
Experts estimate that 32 percent of people suffer from a continual ringing, buzzing, or whooshing noise in their ears. This disorder, which is called tinnitus, can be a real problem. People who hear these noises have problems sleeping and concentrating, and they could also have associated hearing loss.
There are measures you can take to reduce the symptoms, but because it’s normally linked to other health conditions, there is no immediate cure.
Avoid These Things to Reduce The Ringing
The first step in managing that constant ringing in your ears is to steer clear of the things that are known to cause it or make it worse. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that aggravate tinnitus. If you’re exposed to a loud work environment, use earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.
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. Never stop taking your medications without first speaking to your health care professional.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- stress
- high blood pressure
- jaw issues
- too much earwax
- infections
- allergies
- other medical issues
Jaw Problems And Tinnitus
Your ears and jaw are closely connected. That’s why issues with your jaw 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 issue. The resulting stress created by simple activities like chewing or speaking can ultimately lead to tinnitus symptoms.
Is there anything that can be done? If your tinnitus is triggered by TMJ symptoms, then the best way to achieve relief is to find medical or dental treatment for the root cause (no pun intended).
Stress And The Ringing in my Ears
The affects of stress on the body are very real and very significant. Associated increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing can all lead to an intensification of tinnitus symptoms. As a result, stress can cause, exacerbate, and lengthen tinnitus episodes.
Can I do anything to help? If stress is a significant cause of the ringing or buzzing in your ears, you can try remedies such as meditation and yoga to try to de-stress. Taking some time to decrease the stress in your life (where and when you can) can also help.
Excessive Earwax
It’s absolutely healthy and normal for you to produce earwax. But excessive earwax can irritate your eardrum, and start to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. If you can’t wash away the earwax in a normal way because it has built up too much, the resulting tinnitus can become worse.
What can be done? The easiest way to decrease the ringing in your ears caused by too much earwax is to keep your ears clean! (Do not use cotton swabs in your ears.) In certain instances, you may need to get a professional cleaning in order to get the buzzing and ringing to go away (some people just normally make a lot more earwax than others).
High Blood Pressure Causes Tinnitus to Worsen
All sorts of health issues, such as tinnitus, can be caused by hypertension and high blood pressure. It becomes hard to ignore when high blood pressure escalates the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing. 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 should do. You’ll likely want to get medical treatment. But you can also change your lifestyle a little: avoid foods with high salt or fat content and get more exercise. Stress can also raise your blood pressure, so practicing relaxation techniques or changing your lifestyle can also improve hypertension (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).
Can I Decrease my Tinnitus by Using a Masking Device or White Noise Generator?
You can minimize the effects of the nonstop noise in your head by distracting your ears and your brain. You don’t even have to purchase special equipment, your radio, TV or laptop can work as masking devices. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or specialized devices you can get to help.
If you experience a constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears, be serious about the problem. It might be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are experiencing a medical problem that needs to be dealt with before it worsens. Take measures to protect your ears from loud noises, find ways to distract your ears, and see a professional before what started as a nagging concern results in bigger issues.