Most people living with tinnitus know that the ringing sound in their ears isn’t at a constant level throughout the day.
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. Experienced by 24 million Americans, tinnitus may be present in one or both ears and consist of ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking sounds.
It is a symptom of an underlying condition, implying an auditory problem involving the ear, auditory nerve or parts of the brain that process sound. Tinnitus can be loud enough to interfere with the person’s ability to hear actual sound.
It can flow in peaks and valleys, increasing and decreasing in volume and sound at seemingly random times. The truth is these ups and downs may not be so random. Environment, diet and lifestyle choices can play a significant role in our tinnitus.
Because there are so many factors that can affect the volume, it can be difficult to pin down your triggers. Keeping a journal of when your tinnitus flares up can help you determine how to minimize it. It will also make it easier for you and your doctor to pinpoint the causes.
Diet
Food and drink intake can be one of the most significant drivers of tinnitus. Here are some common substances to use in moderation:
- – Salt
- – Sugar
- – Fats
- – Sugar substitutes
- – Caffeine
- – Nicotine
- – Alcohol
Environmental factors
Stimuli in your surroundings may or may not be under your control. The following are other triggers of tinnitus:
- – Loud sounds
- – Allergies
- – Pollution
- – Changes in the weather or barometric pressure
It also helps to pay attention to your stress, sleep patterns, medications, exercise, vitamins and supplements, which can all play a factor in your tinnitus.
Other potential tinnitus causes include age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis); Meniere’s Disease (inner ear fluid pressure abnormality); ear wax buildup; head and neck injuries; and Acoustic Neuroma (benign brain tumor growing on the auditory nerve).
While there is no cure for tinnitus, treatments can help minimize the effect and help the person cope with the condition. Treatments include:
- – Hearing aids: For those experiencing tinnitus along with hearing loss
- – Counseling: Help patients cope better through education
- – Hearing protection: Protecting ears when exposed to loud noise and not listening to earbuds with volume turned up too high can slow hearing loss and tinnitus
- – Sound generators: Can be a small device worn in ear to mask tinnitus or white noise machine placed beside the bed
For more information on how Audio Help Hearing Centers can help you, call us at 888-734-3888.
