There are few conditions that are more complex to comprehend for people who don’t suffer from tinnitus. 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 nearly 50 million Americans who experience some form of tinnitus, the problem is very real and can be very difficult to deal with. Ringing in the ears is the best classification of tinnitus, but according to the American Tinnitus Association, it can present sufferers with whistling, hissing, swooshing, clicking, and buzzing. These sounds aren’t detectable by others and that might be the most frustrating part of tinnitus, which can lead to disorientation, delayed diagnosis, confusion, and depression.
While that 50 million number is huge, it’s even more staggering when put in the context that it means about 15 percent of the overall public battles with tinnitus. A report put out 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 have what’s considered burdensome and chronic tinnitus.
In order to augment their hearing and drown out the ringing, people with tinnitus frequently turn to hearing aids. While a hearing aid has proven to be an effective method of lessening the symptoms linked with tinnitus, there are personal changes you can make to minimize the ringing.
Here are 10 things to avoid if you suffer from tinnitus:
- Excess earwax; When it comes to how your ears work, there’s no doubt that earwax plays a positive role. Actually, the gunk we all hate actually traps dirt and protects your ears. That being said, too much buildup can make tinnitus worse. To make certain it doesn’t build up to a dangerous amount, your doctor can clean some of it out and help with prevention.
- Jaw issues; If you’re having pain in your jaw, you should already be visiting a doctor, but especially if you also suffer from tinnitus. Because the jaw and ears share components like nerves and ligaments, alleviating jaw pain might have an effect on your tinnitus.
- Certain medicines; Over-the-counter medicines like aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be very good at soothing pain, but they may actually increase your tinnitus symptoms. Tinnitus can also be impacted by other medication such as prescription antibiotics or cancer drugs. But before you quit taking a medication that was prescribed by your doctor, you should schedule a consultation.
- Caffeine; Here’s yet another influencer of blood pressure that can cause a spike in levels. You could also find that too much caffeine alters your sleeping habits.
- Hazardous blood pressure levels; Monitoring your blood pressure is an essential preventive tip that can help keep you safe from many ailments, but it also just might keep your tinnitus symptoms under control. It’s important to note that both high and low blood pressure levels can make your tinnitus worse, so you should be persistent about routinely checking your blood pressure.
- Smoking; Smoking is another habit that can raise your blood pressure. Additionally, it can narrow the blood vessels to the ears, which can cause tinnitus symptoms to get worse.
- Loud noises; This one most likely seems obvious, but it’s worth reiterating that loud noises can exacerbate the sounds you’re already hearing internally. Be cautious of circumstances where you’ll hear sounds at an increased volume. This includes construction sites, concerts, and loud restaurants. Consider shielding your ears with earplugs if you can’t avoid the noise. Earplugs can be especially helpful for individuals whose job involves using loud machinery.
- Alcohol; There’s a common adage that says drinking a small glass of wine daily can have a positive effect 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. For many people drinking too much alcohol makes tinnitus symptoms more evident because it tends to raise your blood pressure.
- Infections; There’s a long-running 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 certain you’re limiting your exposure to sinus and ear infections because they have can aggravate tinnitus.
- Poor sleeping habits; Mom wasn’t kidding around when she said you needed to get eight hours each night. Sleep is another crucial aspect of a healthy life that offers a wide range of benefits, including helping to avoid tinnitus triggers.
You can take back your life and manage your tinnitus symptoms even though there is no official cure. Give these 10 suggestions a try, and you might be surprised with the improvements in your symptoms and your general health. If these don’t help, set up an appointment with a hearing specialist.