Not at all. Tinnitus is the name for these head noises, and they are very
common. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this discomfort. Tinnitus
may come and go, or you may be aware of a continuous sound. It can vary in
pitch from a low roar to a high squeal or whine, and you may hear it in one
or both ears. When the ringing is constant, it can be annoying and
distracting. More than seven million people are afflicted so severely that
they cannot lead normal lives.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Most tinnitus comes from damage to the
microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. The health of
these nerve endings is important for acute hearing, and injury to them
brings on hearing loss and often tinnitus. If you are older, advancing
age is generally accompanied by a certain amount of hearing nerve
impairment and tinnitus. If you are younger, exposure to loud noise is
probably the leading cause of tinnitus, and often damages hearing as
well.
There are many causes for "subjective
tinnitus," the noise only you can hear. Some causes are not serious (a
small plug of wax in the ear canal might cause temporary tinnitus).
Tinnitus can also be a symptom of stiffening of the middle ear bones (otosclerosis).
Tinnitus may also be caused by allergy, high
or low blood pressure (blood circulation problems), a tumor, diabetes,
thyroid problems, injury to the head or neck, and a variety of other
causes including medications such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics,
sedatives, antidepressants, and aspirin. If you take aspirin and your
ears ring, talk to your doctor about dosage in relation to your size.
Treatment will be quite different in each case
of tinnitus. It is important to see an otolaryngologist to investigate
the cause of your tinnitus so that the best treatment can be determined.
Tinnitus Treatment
In most cases, there is no specific treatment
for ear and head noise. If your otolaryngologist finds a specific cause
of your tinnitus, he or she may be able to eliminate the noise. But,
this determination may require extensive testing including X-rays,
balance tests, and laboratory work. However, most causes cannot be
identified. Occasionally, medicine may help the noise. The medications
used are varied, and several may be tried to see if they help.
The following list of DOs and DON'Ts can help
lessen the severity of tinnitus:
- Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.
- Get your blood pressure checked. If it is high, get your
doctor's help to control it.
- Decrease your intake of salt. Salt impairs blood circulation.
- Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola, and tobacco.
- Exercise daily to improve your circulation.
- Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.
- Stop worrying about the noise. Recognize your head noise as an
annoyance and learn to ignore it as much as possible.
Can You Help Me Cope With Tinnitus?
Concentration and relaxation exercises can
help to control muscle groups and circulation throughout the body.
The increased relaxation and circulation achieved by these exercises
can reduce the intensity of tinnitus in some patients.
Masking. Tinnitus is usually more
bothersome in quiet surroundings. A competing sound at a constant
low level, such as a ticking clock or radio static (white noise),
may mask the tinnitus and make it less noticeable. Products that
generate white noise are also available through catalogs and
specialty stores.
Hearing Aids. If you have a hearing loss,
a hearing aid(s) may reduce head noise while your are wearing it and
sometimes cause it to go away temporarily. It is important not to
set the hearing aid at excessively loud levels, as this can worsen
the tinnitus in some cases. However, a thorough trial before
purchase of a hearing aid is advisable if your primary purpose is
the relief of tinnitus.
Tinnitus maskers can be combined within
hearing aids. They emit a competitive but pleasant sound that can
distract you from head noise. Some people find that a tinnitus
masker may even suppress the head noise for several hours after it
is used, but this is not true for all users.
Summary
Prior to any treatment of tinnitus or head
noise, it is important that you have a thorough examination and
evaluation by your otolaryngologist. An essential part of your
treatment will be your understanding of tinnitus and its causes.