How can I stop the ringing in my ears? There’s no cure for tinnitus, but recognizing what causes or aggravates your symptoms can help you reduce or prevent flare-ups.
A constant whooshing, buzzing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of people according to experts. This condition, which is called tinnitus, can be a real problem. People who hear these noises have trouble sleeping and concentrating, and they might also have associated hearing loss.
There are measures you can take to reduce the symptoms, but because it’s usually related to other health problems, there is no immediate cure.
Avoid 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 steer clear of. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that aggravate tinnitus. If you’re exposed to a loud work place, wear earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.
Certain medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and even high doses of aspirin can worsen the ringing so consult your doctor. Make sure you speak with your doctor before you discontinue your medication.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- infections
- too much earwax
- other medical issues
- jaw problems
- allergies
- high blood pressure
- stress
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
If for no other reason than their physical proximity, your jaw and ears have a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re ideal neighbors, normally). That’s why problems with your jaw can lead to tinnitus. The best example of this is an affliction called Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ for short), which involves a breakdown of the shock-absorbing cartilage in the joints in your jaw. Tinnitus can be the result of the stress of basic activities such as chewing.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is triggered by TMJ symptoms, then the best way to get relief is to seek out dental or medical treatment for the underlying cause.
Stress And The Ringing in my Ears
The impacts of stress on the body are very real and very serious. Associated increases in heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure can all result in an intensification of tinnitus symptoms. Stress, as a result, can activate, exacerbate, and extend bouts of tinnitus.
Can I do anything to help? If stress is a major cause of the buzzing or ringing in your ears, you can try solutions like yoga and meditation to try to de-stress. It might also help if you can decrease the overall causes of your stress.
Excess Earwax
Earwax is totally normal and healthy. But too much earwax can aggravate your eardrum, and begin to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. The ensuing tinnitus can worsen if the earwax keeps accumulating or becomes hard to wash away in a normal way.
What can I do? The simplest way to reduce the ringing in your ears caused by too much earwax is to keep your ears clean! (Don’t use cotton swabs in your ears.) Some people produce more earwax than others; if this applies to you, a professional cleaning may be necessary.
High Blood Pressure Causes Tinnitus to Worsen
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can create various health concerns, such as tinnitus. High blood pressure has a way of intensifying the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing, making it difficult to dismiss. High blood pressure has treatment which may reduce tinnitus symptoms in relevant situations.
What’s my solution? High blood pressure is not something you want to dismiss. You’ll probably need to get medical treatment. But you could also change your lifestyle a bit: avoid foods that have high salt or fat content and exercise more. Hypertension and stress can raise your blood pressure triggering tinnitus, so try to find lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to minimize stress (and, thus, tinnitus caused by hypertension).
Will Using a White Noise or Masking Device Help my Tinnitus?
You can reduce the impact of the nonstop 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 special devices you can purchase to help.
You should take it seriously if you have continuous ringing, whooshing, or buzzing in your ears. It might be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are experiencing a medical problem that should be resolved before it gets worse. Before what began as an irritating problem becomes a more serious concern, take steps to protect your ears and if the ringing persists, get professional hearing help.