OK, before I get to explaining how to deal with tinnitus, I think it would be a good idea for me to start off with the definition of tinnitus. According to The Merck Manual, tinnitus is a noise that originates in the ear rather than in the environment. It is a symptom and not a specific disease and it is very common, that about 10 to 15% of people experience some degree of tinnitus.
How DOES Tinnitus come about?
Well, about 75% of ear related problems include tinnitus as a symptom, including
- Ear Infections
- Blocked ear canal or Eustachian Tube
- Tumors of the middle ear
- Otosclerosis(a type of hearing loss)
- Meniere’s Disease.
- Certain medication may aggravate the tinnitus , such as aspirin and a class of antibiotics called aminoglycosides.
What kind of noises do we hear?
I for one hear about 5 different noises at any given time. I hear howling, (this howling feels like a constant puncture in my ear and wind is blowing), then I hear buzzing noises.I also hear birds chirping noises,(I KNOW!! IT SOUNDS CRAZY), and then a loud flatline(like in a hospital when someone is just pronounced dead), and finally a hissing sound.
In addition to this, I still have got to overcome this obstacle and hear the person that I am trying to have a conversation with. As YOU can Imagine, it really is NOT VERY easy to deal with tinnitus……in fact I WANTED TO JUST RUN AWAY!!!!
How to deal with Tinnitus
Some people are able to live by with these noises whilst others, like myself found it really affecting my livelihood. So the experience of tinnitus is highly individual based. Therefore, the suggestions/techniques/advice that I offer you on how to deal with tinnitus will vary. It depends on your condition and how bad it is.
Before I continue though, I would like to clarify one thing. I am a pharmacist and NOT a doctor. I cannot diagnose and treat medical condition and offer prescription medication to you. I can advise on certain vitamins and mineral that may be of benefit which I will do later on. Remember, if a person has tinnitus then he or she may have hearing loss. I recommend hearing tests on a regular basis to monitor the status of the ear. Furthermore, a need for a MRI may also help to eliminate the possible presence of tumors that can cause the tinnitus. The doctor may also call for various blood test to eliminate other etiologies of tinnitus. In certain cases, there may also be a need for hearing aids to assist in masking the tinnitus. So, now you have it lets get on with the various ways to dealing with tinnitus.
I got Tinnitus when was in my early 50s. I was under a lot of pressure at work at the time. I discovered that if I sat very still in a comfortable chair, closed my eyes, and just thought about being very relaxed the ringing in my ear would subside and often go away.
Is Tinnitus caused when your blood pressure becomes elevated?
I subsequently learned how to do Transcendental Meditation and this helped me control ringing in my ears. I’ve been a TMer ever since.
Hi there.
Thanks for sharing. It is a possibility for high blood pressure to be a cause for tinnitus.
Yes, I agree with on the Tm portion to help with the tinnitus. I use a lot of these techniques myself
Regards
Roopesh
Hi, I can tell you we are in the same boat. I have tinnitus as well, more in right ear than in left. It is constant but more annoying during the night when I am in bed. Yesterday I read an article where the author writes that it can be regulated by diet. Do you know anything about it? I am a bit sceptical.
Hi Jovo.
Thank you for sharing.My audiologist told me that tinnitus is more common in the right ear than the left ear and that I am very unique to have it in the left ear.Perhaps, I do have it in the right ear, but I will never know as I am completely deaf in this ear. Regarding the diet, I am in agreement that it does play a vital role in tinnitus.Please see my section on diet and tinnitus.Its always a case of watching how your body responds to certain foods and it relation to tinnitus.I make notes of what I eat and drink and see what makes it worse or not and take it from there.Hope this helps
Kind Regards
Roopesh.
Hi Roopesh,
To be honest I didn’t really know too much about tinnitus. until recently. The reason I’m researching it now is because my uncle has recently being diagnosed with tinnitus. I certainly didn’t realise that so much of the population will suffer of it at some point in their lives.
He struggles to fall asleep at night – I can only imagine how awful that must be for sufferers. However, I have always believed that diet has a huge influence on our health and I look forward to reading the rest of your tips.Hopefully I can then help my uncle with the tinnitus.
Cheers
Hi Boyo
Glad that I could share some light onto the subject.
Sorry to hear about your uncle. Yes I believe diet has a huge part to play in decreasing the intensity of tinnitus. I have written an article about the impact of salt and the different types of salty foods that can aggravate tinnitus.
Please check it out, you may find some use within it.
Let me know if there is anything else that I can help with.
Regards and take care
Roopesh