Up
to 20 percent of people suffer from ringing in their ears (or other
noises in their heads) that characterise tinnitus. Today, researchers
have a better understanding of this distracting disorder--and more
effective ways to relieve it.
Tinnitus comes from Latin meaning 'ring like a bell', but the phantom noise you hear may also be buzzing, clicking, roaring and or hissing. It can be a constant, pulsating soundtrack in your head, or come and go in one or both ears. Its cause is a mystery, but it's more common in people who've been exposed to prolonged or intermittent loud noise. In young people, common sources are headphones, too-loud radios and rock concerts. In older people, culprits are long-term exposure to loud noises (such as a job at a construction site) or simply the ageing process. About 90 percent of those with tinnitus also have some hearing loss.
In some cases, unwanted sounds may result from an underlying physical problem, such as an ear infection, earwax build-up, an ear disease (Meniere's, for example), heart problems or allergies. Sometimes, once the ailment clears up, the sounds disappear. Tinnitus can also be caused by chronic stress, and may be a side effect of certain medications or too much caffeine or alcohol. A less common form, called objective tinnitus, involves pulsating sounds that doctors can hear when they listen with a stethoscope. These sounds usually come from jaw movements or from the flow of blood in neck or head vessels; they can also caused by blocked arteries.
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
If you have ringing or other sounds in your ears that don't go away, treatment usually begins by looking for an underlying cause, followed by a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist) for further evaluation. Even when no cause can be found, you can make lifestyle changes to get relief. Special devices will also
improve your hearing or mask the noise so you're less aware of it.
Lifestyle changes
Try self-help techniques to keep your tinnitus from getting worse:
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------De-stress Relaxation techniques can help.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No stimulants Coffee, colas and others intensity symptoms.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Care with drugs Aspirin and other drugs can cause ringing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avoid loud noise Protect ears with earplugs.
PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hearing aid Amplifies ambient sound.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tinnitus masker Produces pleasant sounds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blockage removal Usually silences the noise.
NATURAL METHODS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplements Support healthy hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biofeedback & acupuncture Relieves stress; reduces intensity of sounds.
PROMISING DEVELOPMENTS
Researchers in Germany trained nine people with tinnitus in an auditory technique to distinguish between slightly different tones near the frequencies of the phantom noises they heard. After four weeks, their tinnitus was reduced by 35%.
Natural methods
Natural treatments can make a real difference. Ginkgo biloba and niacin can increase blood flow to the brain and ears. Vitamin B12 helps the body manufacture myelin, a fatty substance that protects inner ear nerves. Magnesium promotes circulation to the brain and supports healthy auditory nerves. Zinc, too, aids healthy hearing. Doing biofeedback can help you reduce any stress that may be contributing to your tinnitus. And some people calim that acupuncture treatments help relieve the intensity of unwanted sounds, although so far few controlled studies have proved this to be true.
Medications
In some people, constant noise that they can't control may lead to depression or anxiety. If you feel down or overly stressed, tell your doctor. An antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Endep, Tryptanol) or fluxoetine (Prozac, Lovan) may help.
What is happening
Tinnitus comes from Latin meaning 'ring like a bell', but the phantom noise you hear may also be buzzing, clicking, roaring and or hissing. It can be a constant, pulsating soundtrack in your head, or come and go in one or both ears. Its cause is a mystery, but it's more common in people who've been exposed to prolonged or intermittent loud noise. In young people, common sources are headphones, too-loud radios and rock concerts. In older people, culprits are long-term exposure to loud noises (such as a job at a construction site) or simply the ageing process. About 90 percent of those with tinnitus also have some hearing loss.
In some cases, unwanted sounds may result from an underlying physical problem, such as an ear infection, earwax build-up, an ear disease (Meniere's, for example), heart problems or allergies. Sometimes, once the ailment clears up, the sounds disappear. Tinnitus can also be caused by chronic stress, and may be a side effect of certain medications or too much caffeine or alcohol. A less common form, called objective tinnitus, involves pulsating sounds that doctors can hear when they listen with a stethoscope. These sounds usually come from jaw movements or from the flow of blood in neck or head vessels; they can also caused by blocked arteries.
- Doctor's visit to rule out underlying medical causes.
- Lifestyle changes to minimise noise.
- Hearing aid or tinnitus--masking devices to reduce awareness of noise.
- Supplements, such as ginkgo biloba or niacin, to improve blood flow and nerve function.
- Drugs to help related sleep and depression problems.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Could a medication I'm taking be responsible for my tinnitus?
- Why does my tinnitus seem to come and go?
- Will this condition affect my hearing?
- Are there any activities that may worsen my tinnitus?
Treatments
If you have ringing or other sounds in your ears that don't go away, treatment usually begins by looking for an underlying cause, followed by a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist) for further evaluation. Even when no cause can be found, you can make lifestyle changes to get relief. Special devices will also
improve your hearing or mask the noise so you're less aware of it.
Lifestyle changes
Try self-help techniques to keep your tinnitus from getting worse:
- Reduce stress. Situations that are stressful worse tinnitus, and having tinnitus is stressful. Break free of this vicious cycle by relaxing with techniques such as mediatation and deep breathing.
- Shun stimulants such as coffee, tea, colas and nicotine. they can intensify symptoms by constricting blood vessels. Certain spices, chocolate and red wine can also temporarily worsen tinnitus.
- Be careful with certain medicines. High does of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause ringing in the ears, as can certain antidepressants, sedatives and antibiotics.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------De-stress Relaxation techniques can help.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No stimulants Coffee, colas and others intensity symptoms.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Care with drugs Aspirin and other drugs can cause ringing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avoid loud noise Protect ears with earplugs.
PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hearing aid Amplifies ambient sound.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tinnitus masker Produces pleasant sounds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blockage removal Usually silences the noise.
NATURAL METHODS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplements Support healthy hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biofeedback & acupuncture Relieves stress; reduces intensity of sounds.
- Avoid loud noise. Earplugs (foam rubber, silicone or wax) work well to provide protection against the dangers of excessive noise.
- Reduce your salt intake. Too much salt can decrease blood circulation and cause fluid to accumulate in your middle ear.
- Check out Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). A new approach available for tinnitus sufferers, TRT retrains your brain to process tinnitus sounds differently, which can help decrease your awareness of them.
- Make the noise. Use a fan, ticking clock, tapes of nature sounds or soft music. Or open a window and concentrate on the rustling wind, street sounds or chirping birds.
- Plan ahead for the sound. Tinnitus usually gets worse in the evening, when the noises of the day stop. Try a tinnitus masker at this time. If tinnitus actually interferes with your ability to fall asleep, you might want to listen to music; use a clock radio with an automatic shutoff.
Researchers in Germany trained nine people with tinnitus in an auditory technique to distinguish between slightly different tones near the frequencies of the phantom noises they heard. After four weeks, their tinnitus was reduced by 35%.
Natural methods
Natural treatments can make a real difference. Ginkgo biloba and niacin can increase blood flow to the brain and ears. Vitamin B12 helps the body manufacture myelin, a fatty substance that protects inner ear nerves. Magnesium promotes circulation to the brain and supports healthy auditory nerves. Zinc, too, aids healthy hearing. Doing biofeedback can help you reduce any stress that may be contributing to your tinnitus. And some people calim that acupuncture treatments help relieve the intensity of unwanted sounds, although so far few controlled studies have proved this to be true.
Medications
In some people, constant noise that they can't control may lead to depression or anxiety. If you feel down or overly stressed, tell your doctor. An antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Endep, Tryptanol) or fluxoetine (Prozac, Lovan) may help.
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