Aug
25

Tinnitus is a perception of sound within the ear (usually referred to as “ringing in the ears”) when no actual sound is present. The sound can be heard anywhere in the head or in one or both ears.

Imagine a constant ringing, buzzing or whistling in your ears, 24 hours a day. You never get a break. It is always there. Nobody else but you can hear the noise because it does not come from any external source. Although you are the only person who can hear the noise it is not a result of your imagination. Imagine just how frustrating this must be.

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Most people will experience tinnitus temporarily; perhaps for a few hours after a concert or any other occasion where our ears are subjected to noise. Some people experience it rarely, and sometimes for just a few minutes will have the sensation of hearing a beeping, a ringing, a buzzing, or humming noise in one or both ears.

This only becomes a problem when the tinnitus persists or increases. Usually, the ringing in the ears will disappear, but in some people it is a permanent condition.   Most people who suffer from tinnitus find it very disturbing and uncomfortable.

Most people who suffer from tinnitus have some hearing loss – from mild hearing loss to severe or profoundly deaf.  Tinnitus is very difficult to diagnose, to measure, and even to treat.  There are a number of treatments for tinnitus, but no true cure.  Tinnitus can also be caused by certain kinds of medicines, drugs classified as “ototoxic”.  These are a class of drugs that can affect hearing – they can cause hearing loss and/or tinnitus.  Sometimes it is temporary, sometimes it is permanent.

There are a number of ways one may cope with tinnitus:

• Take steps to reduce stress and anxiety
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Avoid using foods which stimulate the nervous system: coffee (caffeine), and alcohol, and also smoking (nicotine).
• Sleep with your head slightly elevated. This can be achieved by using more than one pillow.
• Tinnitus is commonly more noticeable at night after one has gotten into bed and the environment is quieter.  It can be helpful to have something that makes a noise that can mask the tinnitus.  Some people use a “white noise machine”, others use a fan, or a clock that has a loud ticking, or listen to relaxing music.
• People who are hard of hearing and wear hearing aids sometimes find that wearing the hearing aid helps reduce the tinnitus.  (The amplification of sounds acts as a mask.)
• Avoid loud noisy places, and if you cannot avoid them consider wearing earplugs when in those situations.
• Some people use various vitamins and herbal supplements for relief.  Eating a healthy diet and taking vitamins and herbal supplements is a good idea in any case, as they are beneficial for one’s overall health.
• Sometimes, the cause of tinnitus can be treated. For example, if the noise in the ears is caused by a middle ear infection, then a course of antibiotics may solve the problem.

Also read:

Vitamin B for Tinnitus? Show me the Proof.

Understanding Tinnitus- What does it All Mean?

Top 3 Ginkgo Biloba Health Benefits

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