Can The Ringing in My Ears Be Cured?

Man with annoying ringing in the ears holds his ear.

How can I get rid of the ringing in my ears? There’s no cure for tinnitus, but knowing what causes or exacerbates your symptoms can help you reduce or avoid flare-ups.

Scientists calculate that 32 percent of people suffer from a constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing noise in their ears. This disorder, which is known as tinnitus, can be a serious problem. Individuals who suffer from this condition could have associative hearing loss and frequently have trouble sleeping and concentrating.

There are measures you can take to reduce the symptoms, but because it’s commonly linked to other health problems, there is no immediate cure.

Avoid These Things to Reduce The Ringing

The first step in managing that constant ringing in your ears is to steer clear of the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that intensify tinnitus. Refrain from using headphones, and if you are exposed to noise at work or at home, get some high-quality earplugs to reduce the damage.

You should also consult your doctor about your medications, as some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and high doses of aspirin can make the ringing in your ears worse. Be sure you talk to your doctor before you discontinue your medication.

Here are some other common causes:

  • jaw problems
  • other medical problems
  • infections
  • stress
  • too much earwax
  • allergies
  • high blood pressure

Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw

If for no other reason than their how close they are, your ears and jaw exhibit a certain amount of interplay between them (they’re good neighbors, normally). This is the reason jaw issues can lead to tinnitus. TMJ, which is an affliction that causes the cartilage of the jaw to deteriorate, is a good example of this kind of jaw problem. Tinnitus can be the outcome of the stress of basic activities like chewing.

Is there anything that can be done? The best thing you can do, if your tinnitus is the result of TMJ, is to find medical or dental help.

How is The Ringing in my Ears Linked to Stress?

The affects of stress on the body are very real and very serious. Intensification of tinnitus symptoms can be caused by surges in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Stress, consequently, can activate, worsen, and extend bouts of tinnitus.

Can I do anything to help? If your tinnitus is caused by stress, you should find ways of reducing stress. It will also help if you can reduce the overall causes of your stress.

Excessive Earwax

It’s absolutely normal and healthy for you to produce earwax. But buzzing or ringing can be the outcome of excessive earwax pushing on your eardrum. If you can’t wash away the earwax normally because it has built up too much, the resulting tinnitus can worsen.

What can I do? The simplest way to minimize the ringing in your ears caused by excessive earwax is to keep your ears clean! (Don’t use cotton swabs to clean your ears.) In some instances, you may need to seek out a professional cleaning so that you can get the buzzing and ringing to go away (some people just normally produce a lot more earwax than others).

Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure

Various health concerns, like tinnitus, can be caused by hypertension and high blood pressure. It becomes difficult to dismiss when high blood pressure escalates the buzzing or ringing you’re already hearing. There’s no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments for high blood pressure.

What’s my solution? High blood pressure is not something you want to ignore. Medical treatment is suggested. But a lifestyle change, like staying clear of foods with high salt content and getting more exercise, can really help. Stress can also increase your blood pressure, so practicing relaxation techniques or making lifestyle changes can also help hypertension (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).

Will Using a Masking Device or White Noise Device Help my Tinnitus?

You can decrease the impact of the nonstop noise in your head by distracting your ears and your brain. You don’t even have to purchase special equipment, your radio, TV or computer can act as masking devices. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or special devices you can get to help.

If you’re experiencing a constant ringing, whooshing, or buzzing sound in your ears, take the problem seriously. If you’re dealing with hearing loss or have health concerns that are acting up, it may be a warning sign. Take measures to safeguard your ears from loud noises, find ways to distract your ears, and see a professional before what began as a nagging problem leads to bigger problems.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.