How can I stop the ringing in my ears? Although we don’t yet understand how to cure tinnitus, it’s symptoms can be lessened by recognizing what triggers it and worsens it.
A constant buzzing, whooshing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of people according to experts. This affliction, which is known as tinnitus, can be a serious problem. People who have this condition may have associative hearing loss and often have difficulty sleeping and concentrating.
There are measures you can take to minimize 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?
The first step in managing that continuous 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 common things that worsen tinnitus. If you’re exposed to a loud work environment, wear earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.
You should also talk to your doctor about your medications, as certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ear ringing worse. Never stop taking your medications without first consulting your health care professional.
Other common causes of tinnitus include:
- stress
- excessive earwax
- high blood pressure
- other medical problems
- allergies
- jaw problems
- infections
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
If for no other reason than their how close they are, your ears and jaw have a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re ideal neighbors, usually). That’s why problems with your jaw can cause 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. Tinnitus can be the result of the stress of simple activities such as chewing.
Is there anything that can be done? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is caused by TMJ, is to seek medical or dental help.
Stress And That Ringing in my Ears
Stress can impact your body in very real, very physical ways. Associated surges in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing can all bring on an intensification of tinnitus symptoms. Consequently, stress can trigger, worsen, and extend tinnitus episodes.
What can be done? If your tinnitus is triggered by stress, you should find ways of de-stressing. Taking some time to decrease the stress in your life (whenever you can) will also help.
Excessive Earwax
It’s completely normal and healthy for you to have earwax. But buzzing or ringing can be the outcome of excessive earwax pressing on your eardrum. The resulting tinnitus can worsen if the earwax keeps accumulating or becomes difficult to wash away in a normal way.
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! (Don’t use cotton swabs to clean your ears.) Some people generate more earwax than others; if this applies to you, a professional cleaning might be in order.
High Blood Pressure Causes Tinnitus to Worsen
All sorts of health issues, like tinnitus, can be caused by hypertension and high blood pressure. High blood pressure can intensify the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing, making it difficult to dismiss. There’s no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment options for high blood pressure.
What can I do? High blood pressure isn’t something you want to dismiss. Medical treatment is recommended. But a lifestyle change, such as staying clear of foods with high salt content and exercising more, can go a long way. Hypertension and stress can raise your blood pressure resulting in tinnitus, so try to find lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to minimize stress (and, thus, tinnitus caused by hypertension).
Can I Decrease my Tinnitus by Using a Masking Device or White Noise Generator?
You can reduce the effects 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 won’t even require any special equipment. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or specialized devices you can purchase to help.
You need to take it seriously if you have continuous ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears. If you’re suffering from hearing loss or have health issues that are acting up, it could be a warning sign. Before what began as an irritating problem becomes a more severe concern, take measures to safeguard your ears and if the ringing continues, seek professional hearing help.
