Can The Ringing in My Ears Be Alleviated?

Man with annoying ringing in the ears holds his ear.

What’s the best way to relieve the ringing in my ears? Although we don’t yet know how to cure tinnitus, it’s effects can be reduced by understanding what initiates it and worsens it.

A constant buzzing, whooshing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of individuals according to researchers. This disorder, which is called tinnitus, can be a real problem. Individuals who suffer from this condition may have associative hearing loss and often have trouble sleeping and concentrating.

Because it is usually related to some other affliction, there is no real cure for the tinnitus itself, but there are steps you can take to quiet the noise.

What Should I Avoid to Decrease The Ringing in My Ears?

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. One of the most prevalent things that worsen tinnitus is loud noises. 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 ringing in your ears worse. Never stop taking your medications without first consulting your health care professional.

Other typical causes of tinnitus include:

  • allergies
  • jaw problems
  • stress
  • high blood pressure
  • infections
  • other medical problems
  • excessive earwax

Tinnitus And Issues With The Jaw

If for no other reason than their physical proximity, your ears and jaw have a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re excellent neighbors, normally). This is the reason jaw problems can lead to tinnitus. The best example of this is a condition 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 simple 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 find medical or dental treatment for the underlying cause.

Stress And That Ringing in my Ears

The impacts of stress on the body are very real and very significant. Intensification of tinnitus symptoms can be caused by spikes in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Consequently, stress can trigger, worsen, and lengthen tinnitus episodes.

Can I do anything to help? If your tinnitus is triggered by stress, you should determine ways of de-stressing. Taking some time to reduce the stress in your life (where and when you can) could also help.

Excessive Earwax

Earwax is completely normal and healthy. But too much earwax can aggravate your eardrum, and begin to cause ringing or buzzing in your ears. The resulting tinnitus can intensify if the earwax keeps accumulating or becomes hard to wash away normally.

How can I deal with this? Keeping your ears clean without utilizing cotton swabs is the simplest way to reduce ringing in the ears induced by earwax. In some situations, you may need to seek out a professional cleaning in order to get the buzzing and ringing to go away (some people just normally produce a lot more earwax than others).

High Blood Pressure Makes Tinnitus Worse

Various health conditions, including tinnitus, can be caused by hypertension and high blood pressure. It becomes difficult to ignore when high blood pressure intensifies the ringing or buzzing you’re already hearing. High blood pressure has treatment options which may lessen tinnitus symptoms in relevant situations.

What’s my solution? Neglecting high blood pressure isn’t something you should do. You’ll probably need to seek out medical treatment. But you could also change your lifestyle a bit: steer clear of foods with high salt or fat content and get more exercise. Stress can also increase your blood pressure, so practicing relaxation techniques or making lifestyle changes can also improve hypertension (and, thus, tinnitus triggered by hypertension).

Can I Alleviate my Tinnitus by utilizing 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. Your TV, radio, or computer can be used as a masking device so you don’t even need any special equipment. You can, if you like, buy special masking devices or hearing aids to help.

You need to take it seriously if you have constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears. It could be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are going through a medical issue that should 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 out as a nagging concern leads to bigger issues.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

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