Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears
Tinnitus is the formal name for the condition of ringing in the ears. Which comes from a Latin word meaning “to ring”. It’s the perception of sound with no actual external source. This occurs due to damage in the connection between the ear and the brain, so the brain, to fill in the silence, begins to create it’s own sound. 1 in every 6 adults in North America has some form of Tinnitus. This ‘ringing’ may also sound like…
- Humming
- Buzzing
- Whistling
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Two-toned
It varies from person to person…
What Causes the Ringing?
Tinnitus is not itself a cause of the ringing, but a symptom of some other damage in some part of your ear. Causes may include:
- Damage or changes to your middle ear or the little bones in your ear
- Exposure to loud noise (i.e. construction or rock concerts) for a prolonged period of time
- Earwax buildup
- Meniere’s Disease
- TMJ joint disorder or jaw problems caused by teeth grinding
- Chronic neck muscle tension or injury to the head/neck
- Some blood vessel disorders including high-blood pressure
- Ototoxic (ear damaging) medications. These medications including some antibiotics, cancer drugs, diuretics, certain antidepressants, aspirin taken in very high doses for a long time, and other drug.
Sometimes finding the cause can be difficult. Regardless, current treatments can be effective.
Tinnitus Triggers
For some people, their Tinnitus can worsen by certain triggers in their environment. Some of them include:
- Barometric pressure (changes in environmental pressure usually before a storm)
- Increased stress or anxiety
- Fatigue
- High consumption of salt, alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine in the diet
- Certain medications like aspirin
- Sensitivity to certain sounds (i.e. dishes clanking together)
Like most things with Tinnitus, triggers vary from person to person. Knowing your triggers can help you prepare or allow you to make small changes to reduce the frequency or intensity of the Tinnitus.
Treatments for Tinnitus
There is currently no ‘cure’ for tinnitus. But there is still hope! Many strategies can decrease the intensity and/or prevent further progression.
- Noise Generators or apps
- By focusing on external noise, it can reduce the internal ringing and provide significant relief by distracting the brain. This can be very effective, especially in quiet environments, like at night trying to go to sleep. This could be static, hum of a fan, simulated heartbeat, thunderstorm, rain, etc.
- Distraction therapy
- Like the noise generators, being able to take your mind away from the ringing and focusing it on another task can be a useful technique. This could be taking a few minutes to play a favourite game on your phone, looking through treasured pictures, switching tasks, etc. when the ringing starts to increase. Whatever helps take your mind away from the ringing.
- Nutrition
- Limiting certain triggering substances and focusing on overall health has shown to decrease Tinnitus
- Hearing aids
- Tinnitus can occur with a hearing loss, but even if it’s not hearing aids can help! Instead of increasing the volume of sound, hearing aids are programmed to deliver a masking static into your ears. This null the ringing in your ears by giving your brain something else to focus on.
- Support Groups
- We have a Tinnitus Support Group that meets once a month to explore other forms of Tinnitus relief that might work for you. If you can’t make it out or would like to review the treatments we’ve discussed the recap blogs are posted on the website.
- There are many, many other treatments you can try
In conclusion, remember, everyone’s Tinnitus or ringing is different in how it presents and what can lessen it; there are no right or wrong answers. Find out what works best for you!
For more information or tailored advice, call to book a Tinnitus consultation. Our practitioner would be happy to assist you.
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