Man with annoying ringing in the ears holds his ear.

What’s the best way to stop the ringing in my ears? Despite the fact that we don’t yet know how to cure tinnitus, it’s symptoms can be lessened by recognizing what initiates it and makes it worse.

Experts calculate that 32 percent of people have a continual buzzing, ringing, or whooshing sound in their ears. This affliction, which is known as tinnitus, can be a serious problem. Individuals who suffer from this condition could have associative hearing loss and frequently have trouble sleeping and concentrating.

There are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms, but because it’s commonly linked to other health problems, there is no direct 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 need to steer clear of. One of the most prevalent things that intensify tinnitus is loud noises. If you’re exposed to a loud work place, wear earplugs and also try to avoid using headphones or earpods.

Certain medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and even high doses of aspirin can make the ringing worse so talk to your doctor. Never stop taking your medications without first talking with your health care professional.

Here are some other common causes:

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

Jaw Issues And Tinnitus

If for no other reason than their how close they are, your ears and jaw have a certain amount of interplay between them (they’re excellent neighbors, usually). This is the reason jaw problems can lead to tinnitus. TMJ, which is a condition that causes the cartilage of the jaw to deteriorate, is a good example of this kind of jaw problem. The ensuing stress created by simple activities including chewing or speaking can ultimately result in tinnitus symptoms.

What can I do? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is brought on by TMJ, is to find medical or dental help.

Stress And That Ringing in my Ears

Stress can affect your body in very real, very physical ways. Increase of tinnitus symptoms can be brought on by spikes in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. As a result, stress can cause, worsen, and lengthen tinnitus episodes.

What can be done? If your tinnitus is brought on by stress, you should find ways of de-stressing. It may also help if you can decrease the general causes of your stress.

Excess Earwax

It’s totally normal and healthy for you to have earwax. But buzzing or ringing can be the result of excessive earwax pushing on your eardrum. The resulting tinnitus can worsen if the earwax keeps accumulating 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 excessive earwax is to keep your ears clean! (Do not use cotton swabs to clean your ears.) Some people produce more earwax than others; if this sounds like you, a professional cleaning may be necessary.

Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure

A myriad of health concerns, like tinnitus, can be caused by hypertension and high blood pressure. It becomes difficult to dismiss when high blood pressure escalates the ringing or buzzing you’re already experiencing. There isn’t a cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments for high blood pressure.

What can I do? Neglecting high blood pressure isn’t something you want to do. You’ll probably need to seek out medical treatment. But you could also change your lifestyle a bit: avoid foods that have high fat or salt content and get more exercise. Hypertension and stress can raise your blood pressure triggering tinnitus, so try to find lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to reduce stress (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).

Will Using a Masking Device or White Noise Device Help my Tinnitus?

If you distract your brain and ears, you can decrease the effects of the constant noise in your ears. You don’t even need to get special equipment, your radio, TV or laptop can act as masking devices. You can, if you prefer, get specialized masking devices or hearing aids to help.

If you’re experiencing a constant ringing, whooshing, or buzzing sound in your ears, take the problem seriously. If you’re suffering from hearing loss or have health problems that are acting up, it could be a warning sign. Before what began as an irritating problem becomes a more serious issue, take measures to protect your ears and if the ringing persists, find professional hearing help.

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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