Ringing ears, causes and remedies
Ringing of the ears, known officially as tinnitus, is a symptom and has many causes. It is not a disease as some believe. Finding the cause is one of the first steps to relief.
Common causes
- Loud noise exposure
- Hearing loss related to old age
- Sinus and ear infection
- Certain medications and drugs
Uncommon causes
- Acoustic neuroma (tumor in the inner ear)
- TMJ Syndrome (jaw problems)
- Upper neck problems or injury
- High blood pressure
Common Causes and Remedies
Hearing loss and noise exposure are the most common types. Nearly everyone has experienced a brief onset of tinnitus after a very loud noise. Those who are repeatedly exposed to loud noise risk getting the permanently. This includes loud ear buds and headphones.
Some people get tinnitus as they lose hearing with age. The theory is that the brain notices the loss in hearing at a certain frequency and so that sound fills the "gap." But, this has not been proven. For this type of tinnitus and noise-exposure tinnitus, hearing aids which are specially programmed to amplify sounds in the area of your hearing loss have marked success in reducing tinnitus.
Sinus and ear infections can cause tinnitus also.. The eardrum creates a seal between the outside of your ear and the inside of your sinuses. When fluid builds up and can't escape due to sinus blockage, pressure on the inner results. This pressure can create tinnitus. The tinnitus will often get better after the sinus infection clears up. Getting your ears drained and/or taking a decongestant will help speed relief to you.
Certain drugs are known to cause tinnitus. Sometimes drug-induced tinnitus is permanent. These drugs are known as "ototoxic" drugs, or drugs that are toxic to hearing. Stop the drug, and you will likely stop the tinnitus. Although, some report permanent damage from taking the drug just one time. Always consult your doctor before quitting a prescription medication.
Uncommon Causes
An acoustic neuroma is a relatively benign tumor in the inner ear. It usually causes tinnitus in one ear. It's not usually life-threatening, but should be removed. This is a pretty rare cause of tinnitus.
TMJ Syndrome is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint. This is the joint on which your jaw moves. It is a very complex joint and so there are a lot of things that can go wrong with the joint. Often those who experience TMJ syndrome experience significant pain in their jaw. Consult your dentist if you think you might fall into this category. Fixing the joint may remedy your tinnitus.
Neck misalignment can be caused by poor head posture. (Which is often caused by injury, impact etc). The nerves in the neck can be pinched, causing or aggravating tinnitus. If this is the case, correcting the misalignment via chiropractic care can remedy the situation.. High blood pressure has also been known to cause tinnitus. The extra pressure on the sensitive inner ear can cause damage. Some studies have found diet and exercise, and the resulting decrease in blood pressure can remedy the tinnitus.
Remedy it!
Unfortunately cure is not always possible and tinnitus is often permanent. The good news is that one gets used to the noise so thoroughly that he or she doesn't hear it anymore. (Just as thoroughly as you do not hear the hum of your computer right now, until you read this) In either case, it is important to protect your hearing. Wear earplugs when you will be exposed to loud noise. Try to use headphones instead of ear buds and at a quiet volume.
If you are suffering with tinnitus, educate yourself and consult a doctor if it doesn't get better. Don't do anything that might damage your hearing because once it's gone, you can't get it back! Also, exercise if you don't already. It increases circulation in the inner ear, increases energy level, and puts attention on other things than tinnitus.
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