For those who don’t suffer from tinnitus, there are few conditions more difficult to comprehend. That’s because unless you actually have tinnitus, you won’t feel, see or hear the symptoms in the same way you might other conditions.
But for the nearly 50 million Americans who suffer from some form of tinnitus, the problem is very real and can be very difficult to manage. Ringing in the ears is the best classification of tinnitus, but according to the American Tinnitus Association, it can present sufferers with buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing and clicking. These sounds aren’t noticeable by others and that might be the most disheartening part of tinnitus, which can lead to confusion, disorientation, depression and delayed diagnosis.
The number is really astonishing when you take into consideration that 15 percent of the general public suffers from tinnitus. A report released by the U.S. Center for Disease Control reports that 2 million of those people experience symptoms that are debilitating and extreme while another 20 million have what’s considered burdensome and chronic tinnitus.
In order to enhance their hearing and drown out the ringing, people with tinnitus frequently turn to hearing aids. While a hearing aid has shown to be an effective method of minimizing the symptoms associated with tinnitus, there are behavioral changes you can make to reduce the ringing.
If you have tinnitus here are 10 things to avoid:
- Certain medicines; Certain medications like aspirin, for example, are good at relieving pain but they might also trigger 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 schedule a consultation.
- Jaw issues; If you’re having pain in your jaw, you should already be contacting a doctor, but especially if you also suffer from tinnitus. Reducing jaw pain might have some impact on your tinnitus since the jaw and ears share nerves and ligaments.
- Caffeine; Here’s another influencer of blood pressure that can cause a spike in levels. You will most likely notice a change in sleeping habits if you drink too much caffeine.
- Loud sounds; It may be obvious but the noises you’re hearing internally can be exacerbated by loud sounds. If a situation appears where you will be exposed to loud noises, be careful. This includes concerts, loud restaurants, and construction sites. Think about protecting your ears with earplugs if you can’t avoid the noise. Individuals who have loud jobs are particularly benefited by ear plugs.
- Smoking; Your blood pressure can definitely be raised by smoking. Additionally, it can shrink the blood vessels to the ears, which can cause tinnitus symptoms to get worse.
- Poor sleeping habits; Mom wasn’t kidding when she said you needed to get eight hours every night. Getting an adequate amount of sleep can assist you to avoid tinnitus triggers and also offers a wide range of other health benefits.
- Excess earwax; When it comes to how your ears work, it’s a known fact that earwax helpful. But actually dirt is trapped and our ears are protected by this gunk that we hate. That being said, too much buildup can cause tinnitus to get worse. Your doctor may be able to help you relieve some of the buildup and provide prevention advice to make sure it doesn’t build up to an unsafe level again.
- Infections; Since a lingering cold can quickly turn into a sinus infection there has always been commentary about the need to find a cure for it. Be certain you’re limiting your exposure to ear and sinus infections because they have can aggravate tinnitus.
- Unsafe blood pressure levels; Monitoring your blood pressure is an essential preventive tip that will help keep you safe from many conditions, but it also just may keep your tinnitus symptoms at bay. You should be persistent about regularly checking your blood pressure because both high and low blood pressure can make tinnitus worse.
- Alcohol; Your cholesterol and heart health can be positively affected by drinking a small glass of wine every day, or so the old saying goes. But with regards to alcohol and tinnitus, you can have too much of a good thing. For many people drinking too much alcohol causes tinnitus symptoms to be more evident because it tends to increase your blood pressure.
Although there’s no established cure for tinnitus, there are ways to control the symptoms and take back your life. Give these 10 suggestions a try, and you may be pleasantly surprised with the improvements in your symptoms and your overall health. If these don’t help, schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist.