A ringing noise in the ear, officially known as tinnitus, can result from several things. Many people incorrectly categorise this condition as a disease. However, it is a symptom of the state of your auditory system.
So, where does the ringing come from, and how is it treated? Usually, the ringing is caused by damaged hair in our inner ears. When those tiny inner hairs are damaged, the signals they send to the brain controlling how we hear a sound, change. Keep reading to discover how you can treat your tinnitus.
What Triggers The Ringing In My Ears?
Age-Related Loss Of Hearing – As we age, hearing becomes more and more challenging. And this is normal. Hearing loss generally starts around the age of 60 and is usually in both ears. The biggest red flag is when you have an issue with high-frequency noises.
Loud Noises – This is one of the leading causes of the ringing you hear in your ears. Anything you’re continually hearing could be a sign of tinnitus. Both ears can be affected, or a single ear due to consistently loud noises and may lead to hearing loss and pain.
Build-Up Of Wax – The human body makes up this greasy stuff that holds onto the dirt to protect our ears, otherwise known as wax. As great a protective measure as this is, if it isn’t washed away, it piles up, and this can lead to tinnitus or hearing loss. Doctors are able to remove the build-up, or you could use a cotton swab to remove it yourself.
Medication – Certain medications are also known for causing ringing noises in our ears. Many prescriptive and over-counter medicines like aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and certain antibiotics and antidepressants can cause tinnitus. It is important to consult with a tinnitus specialist as soon as you suspect your medication is causing the ringing in your ears.
How Can I Treat The Ringing In My Ears?
For your benefit, if you hear ringing noises in your ear and haven’t seen a specialist, we’ve put together this short video on the 7 point treatment plan for tinnitus. Click here to watch the video.
The treatment plan can be summarised as follows:
#1 Hearing Assessment
The first step, which may sound obvious but is often neglected, is to get a hearing test. It is suggested that 80% of people with tinnitus have hearing loss which is only discovered when a hearing test is completed.
#2 Mental Health Assessment
Addressing mental health issues is critical if you’re going to treat your tinnitus successfully. It’s a vicious circle where tinnitus aggravates any pre-existing mental health issues while the mental health issues feedback and aggravate tinnitus. Things to look out for include altered sleep patterns, low mood, anxiety, ease to anger and people commenting that you’re not your usual self.
#3 Diet
You must make sure you are eating a healthy diet which includes, whole, unprocessed foods that contain zinc, magnesium and vitamin b12. Learn more about the suitable diet for tinnitus patients here
#4 Current Medication
Go through all your medications with your GP or the specialist who prescribed them. Discuss your symptoms, and when they occur as the ringing noise in your ears could be a side effect from your medication.
Never stop taking your medication without consulting your GP first.
#5 Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene does not mean showering and going to bed early. It means taking time to set yourself up for better sleep. Tinnitus can cause disrupted sleep, so an important strategy to improve your nighttime sleep and help you get to sleep is to increase the environmental sound. Often you hear tinnitus the loudest at night time because all the environmental sounds that you hear during the day fade away.
#6 Noise Exposure
This is a crucial point albeit short: Make sure there is NO excessive noise in your work, social or home life. For a more comprehensive explanation on how to avoid noise pollution, watch the full treatment plan video here.
#7 Treatment
Get treatment for your tinnitus. You can download the treatment via the App Store or Google Play. You will find the links below. Keep in mind that it may take time to find your exact frequency in the treatment and for positive results to take place. Chat to us about any questions not answered for you on the website.
Every week, Dr Hodge will explain each of the 7 points above and how you can help yourself with a tinnitus treatment plan and experience relief from the ringing noise in the ears for chronic tinnitus sufferers.
For more information on our innovative, award-winning tinnitus treatment app, view our website or contact the Tinnitus Treatment team with any questions.
Dr Hodge (Ear Nose and Throat Specialist) is currently offering a free 30-day trial! Use the promo code ‘FREEMONTH’.
Download the IOS App here
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Dr John-Charles Hodge, MBBS, MA, MRCS, FRACS, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) medical specialist has over 20 years of industry experience in the UK and Australia.
Our video series can be found here
