What’s the best way to get rid of the ringing in my ears? There’s no cure for tinnitus, but learning about what causes or aggravates your symptoms can help you reduce or prevent flare-ups.
A continuous whooshing, buzzing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of individuals according to researchers. This condition is called tinnitus, and it can lead to real problems. 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 decrease the symptoms, but because it’s usually related to other health conditions, there is no immediate cure.
Steer Clear of These Things to Reduce The Ringing
The first step in dealing with that persistent ringing in your ears is to stay away from the things that are known to cause it or make it worse. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that intensify tinnitus. Avoid using headphones, and if you are exposed to noise at work or at home, use some high-quality earplugs to reduce the damage.
You should also talk to your doctor about your medications, as certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ringing in your ears worse. Never stop taking your medications without first speaking to your health care professional.
Here are some other common causes:
- infections
- high blood pressure
- excessive earwax
- other medical issues
- stress
- jaw problems
- allergies
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
Your jaw and ears are closely related. That’s why problems with your jaw can result in tinnitus. The best example of this is an affliction called Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ for short), which entails a breakdown of the shock-absorbing cartilage around the joints in your jaw. The resulting stress created by basic activities including chewing or speaking can ultimately result in tinnitus symptoms.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is triggered by TMJ symptoms, then the best way to get relief is to find dental or medical treatment for the underlying cause.
How is The Ringing in my Ears Related to Stress?
Stress can affect your body in very real, very tangible ways. Associated surges in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing can all result in an increase of tinnitus symptoms. As a result, stress can trigger, exacerbate, and extend tinnitus episodes.
What can be done? If your tinnitus is brought on by stress, you should determine ways of de-stressing. It may also help if you can decrease the general causes of your stress.
Excess Earwax
Earwax is totally healthy and normal. But too much earwax can irritate your eardrum, and start to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. The resulting tinnitus can worsen if the earwax continues to accumulate or becomes hard to wash away normally.
How can I deal with this? The easiest way to reduce the ringing in your ears caused by too much earwax is to keep your ears clean! (Don’t use cotton swabs to clean your ears.) In some cases, you might need to get a professional cleaning so that you can get the ringing or buzzing to go away (some people just normally generate a lot more earwax than others).
Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can cause a myriad of health conditions, such as tinnitus. High blood pressure has a way of intensifying the buzzing or ringing you’re already hearing, making it hard to disregard. There’s no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment options for high blood pressure.
What’s my solution? High blood pressure is not something you want to ignore. You’ll probably want to seek out medical treatment. But a lifestyle change, like avoiding foods with high salt content and exercising more, can really help. Hypertension and stress can elevate your blood pressure triggering tinnitus, so try to find lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to minimize stress (and, thus, tinnitus triggered by hypertension).
Can I Decrease my Tinnitus by Using a White Noise Generator or Masking Device?
If you distract your brain and ears, you can reduce the impact of the constant noise in your ears. You don’t even need 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 buy to help.
You need to take it seriously if you have constant ringing, whooshing, or buzzing in your ears. If you’re dealing with hearing loss or have health problems that are acting up, it might be a warning sign. 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 problem causes bigger issues.