For people who don’t have tinnitus, there aren’t many conditions more complex to understand. The problem with tinnitus is that if you are not afflicted with it, you won’t see, feel, or hear the symptoms in the same way you would other conditions.
But for the almost 50 million Americans who experience some form of tinnitus, the problem is very real and can be very difficult to deal with. Tinnitus is best described as ringing in the ears, but the American Tinnitus Association says, it can present sufferers with buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing and clicking. These sounds aren’t detectable by others and that could be the most discouraging part of tinnitus, which can lead to disorientation, delayed diagnosis, confusion, and depression.
The number is truly astonishing when you consider that 15 percent of the overall public has tinnitus. A report released by the U.S. Center for Disease Control says that 2 million of those individuals experience symptoms that are debilitating and severe while another 20 million suffer from what’s considered burdensome and chronic tinnitus.
There’s a common link between loss of hearing and tinnitus, which is why people frequently turn to hearing aids to augment their hearing and to drown out the ringing. There are everyday things you can do to minimize the ringing along with using hearing aids.
If you have tinnitus here are 10 things to avoid:
- Caffeine; Here’s yet another influencer of blood pressure that can cause a spike in levels. You might also find that too much caffeine alters your sleeping habits.
- Alcohol; There’s a common adage that states drinking a small glass of wine every day can have a positive influence on heart health and cholesterol levels, and that could be true; however, you definitely can have too much of a good thing with regards to alcohol and tinnitus. Drinking too much alcohol raises your blood pressure, which makes the ringing more evident for many people.
- Hazardous blood pressure levels; If you want to keep your tinnitus at bay you should keep track of your blood pressure which can also help safeguard you from other illnesses. It’s significant to note that both high and low blood pressure levels can make your tinnitus worse, so you should be diligent about routinely checking your blood pressure.
- Excess earwax; When it comes to how your ears work, it’s a known fact that earwax plays a positive role. But actually dirt is trapped and our ears are protected by this sludge that we hate. Even so, tinnitus can get worse if too much wax accumulates. Your doctor might be able to help you reduce some of the buildup and supply prevention advice to make sure it doesn’t build up to a dangerous level again.
- Infections; There’s a long-standing commentary about the need to find a cure for the common cold, especially since a lingering cold can quickly morph into a sinus infection. Make sure you’re controlling your exposure to ear and sinus infections because they have can worsen tinnitus.
- Specific medicines; Certain medications like aspirin, as an example, are good at decreasing pain but they could also induce tinnitus. There are other prescription medications including antibiotics and cancer drugs that can also have an impact on tinnitus. But before you stop using a medication that was prescribed by your doctor, you should set up a consultation.
- Poor sleeping habits; Mom wasn’t joking when she said you needed to get eight hours every night. Sleep is another essential aspect of a healthy life that offers a wide variety of benefits, including helping to avoid tinnitus triggers.
- Jaw issues; If you’re having pain in your jaw, you should already be contacting a doctor, but especially if you also have tinnitus. Alleviating jaw pain might have some impact on your tinnitus since the jaw and ears share nerves and ligaments.
- Loud sounds; This one probably seems obvious, but it bears reiterating that loud noises can worsen the sounds you’re already hearing internally. Be cautious of circumstances where you’ll be exposed to sounds at an elevated volume. This includes construction sites, concerts, and loud restaurants. If you can’t abstain from loud settings, think about wearing earplugs to shield you from some of the noise. Individuals who have loud jobs are particularly benefited by ear plugs.
- Smoking; Your blood pressure can definitely be increased by smoking. What’s more, it can narrow the blood vessels to the ears, which can cause tinnitus symptoms to get worse.
Although there’s no official cure for tinnitus, there are ways to regulate the symptoms and take back your life. Give these 10 recommendations a try, and you may be surprised with the improvements in your symptoms and your overall health. If these don’t help, make an appointment with a hearing care professional.