Imagine hearing a ringing noise in your ears or head that doesn't go away. This maddening noise, called tinnitus, can range in volume from a ring to a roar. It affects nearly 36 million Americans, most of them older adults. Seven million people are bothered so much by tinnitus that living a normal life is not possible. Tinnitus can, in fact, interfere with work, sleep, and normal communication with others.
Causes
Like a toothache, tinnitus isn't a disease in itself, but a symptom of another
problem. Examples are:
Earwax blocking the ear canals
Food allergies
Reactions to medications, such as overuse
or frequent use of aspirin or aspirin products
Middle-ear trauma or infections
Blood vessel abnormalities in the brain
Ear nerve damage due to exposure to loud
noise
Anemia (See Anemia)
Meniere's disease - a disease in which
there is excess fluid in the canals of the inner ear, which results in tinnitus,
dizziness, gradual hearing loss, etc...
Diabetes (See Diabetes)
Brain tumors (rarely)
And sometimes tinnitus is simply due to advancing age. It often accompanies loss of hearing. Often, tinnitus is temporary and will not lead to deafness. Treatment is aimed at finding and treating the problem that causes the tinnitus.
Do you have severe pain in the ears, forehead or
over the cheekbones, a severe headache, dizziness, and/or sudden loss of hearing?  |
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Do you have the following problems with ringing in
the ears after taking aspirin or other medications that have salicylates, such as
Trilisate or Disalcid (which are sometimes used to treat arthritis)? Nausea Vomiting Dizziness Rapid breathing Hallucinations |
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| Along with ringing in the ears, do you have one or
more of the following? Dizziness Vertigo Unsteadiness in walking Loss of balance Vomiting Sudden hearing loss |
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For mild cases of tinnitus, play the
radio or a white noise tape (white noise is a low, constant sound) in the background to
help mask the tinnitus.
Biofeedback or other relaxation techniques
can help you calm down and concentrate, shifting your attention away from the tinnitus.
Relaxation can reduce stress, which can aggravate tinnitus.
Exercise regularly to promote good blood
circulation.
Ask your doctor or a certified audiologist
about a recently developed tinnitus masker, which looks like a hearing aid. Worn on the
ear, it makes a subtle noise that masks the tinnitus without interfering with hearing and
speech.
If the noises started during or after
traveling in an airplane, try pinching your nostrils and blowing through your nose.
Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy may help prevent the popping and ringing sounds in
the ear from happening when you do fly. Also, it is prudent to avoid flying when you have
an upper respiratory tract or ear infection.
Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol,
nicotine, aspirin, and aspirin-like medications.
Wear earplugs when exposed to loud noises
such as heavy machinery, etc., to prevent damage to the ear.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/20/99