Man with annoying ringing in the ears holds his ear.

What’s the best way to eliminate the ringing in my ears? Although we don’t yet know how to cure tinnitus, it’s effects can be minimized by recognizing what triggers it and makes it worse.

A consistent whooshing, buzzing, or ringing in the ears is experienced by 32 percent of individuals according to researchers. This condition is known as tinnitus, and it can lead to real problems. People who hear these sounds have trouble sleeping and concentrating, and they might also have associated hearing loss.

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

Avoid These Things to Reduce The Ringing

There are some things that are known to cause or worsen tinnitus symptoms and these are the things you should steer clear of. One of the most prevalent things that worsen tinnitus is loud noises. Try to avoid using headphones, and if you are exposed to noise at work or at home, get some high-quality earplugs to minimize the damage.

Some medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and even high doses of aspirin can worsen the ringing so consult your doctor. Make certain you speak with your doctor before you stop taking your medication.

Here are some other typical causes:

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

Jaw Problems And Tinnitus

If for no other reason than their physical proximity, your jaw and ears exhibit a certain amount of interplay between each other (they’re good neighbors, usually). That’s why problems with your jaw can cause tinnitus. TMJ, which is an affliction that causes the cartilage of the jaw to deteriorate, is a good example of this kind of jaw problem. The resulting stress produced by simple activities including chewing or speaking can ultimately result in tinnitus symptoms.

Is there anything that can be done? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is the result of TMJ, is to find medical or dental help.

Stress And That Ringing in my Ears

The impacts of stress on the body are very real and very significant. Increase of tinnitus symptoms can be caused by spikes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Stress, consequently, can activate, exacerbate, and lengthen bouts of tinnitus.

What can be done? If your tinnitus is caused by stress, you should determine ways of unwinding. Taking some time to reduce the stress in your life (whenever you can) will also help.

Excessive Earwax

It’s completely normal and healthy for you to produce earwax. But excessive earwax can aggravate your eardrum, and begin to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. If you can’t wash out the earwax in a normal way because it has accumulated too much, the resulting tinnitus can become worse.

What can be done? The easiest way to reduce 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 produce more earwax than others; if this sounds like you, a professional cleaning may be in order.

High Blood Pressure Causes Tinnitus to Worsen

All sorts of health conditions, 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 hard to disregard. High blood pressure has treatment options which might decrease tinnitus symptoms in related situations.

What can be done? High blood pressure isn’t something you want to ignore. Medical treatment is suggested. But you could also change your lifestyle a little: avoid foods with high fat or salt 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 caused by hypertension).

Can I Decrease my Tinnitus by utilizing a Masking Device or White Noise Generator?

If you distract your brain and ears, you can reduce the impact of the constant noise in your ears. 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 should take it seriously if you have constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears. It may be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are experiencing a medical problem that needs to be dealt with before it worsens. Take steps to safeguard your ears from loud noises, look for ways to distract your ears, and get in touch with a hearing specialist before what began 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.

Medical information dates as new research comes out all the time - if you have a concern about your hearing, please call us.

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