Ringing in the ears – also known as tinnitus – can dramatically erode the quality of life for sufferers, and yet relatively little is known about the condition.
The main cause of ringing in the ears is continuous exposure to loud sounds. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus have noise-induced hearing loss, while a smaller percentage have hearing loss and ringing in the ears attributed to the natural again process.
Loud noise causes permanent damage to the sound-sensitive cells of the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear. Pilots, Musicians, Factory Workers, Machinists, and Construction Workers are among those whose jobs put them at risk, as are people who work with chain saws, guns or other loud devices. Of course people who go to dance clubs and concerts, or who listen to loud music in their own home – especially via headphones or ear buds – are very at risk for tinnitus.
The scary thing is that even a single exposure to an extremely loud sound can be the cause of ringing in the ears! My tinnitus was caused by a Van Halen Concert at Staple Center in Los Angeles. The concert was so incredibly loud that I had severe ringing and buzzing in my ears for a week afterword! And the ringing dulled after that – but never entirely went away.
An important thing to note about ringing in the ears is that while tinnitus is associated with hearing loss, it does not cause the loss. Rather it’s sometimes a symptom and very unpleasant side effect of hearing loss.
Lifestyle Contributors to Tinnitus:
- Pharmaceuticals and Pills – most notably aspirin, antibiotics, or quinine medications can cause ringing in the ears. In fact, tinnitus is cited as a potential side effect for more than 200 prescription and nonprescription drugs
- Diet – Including specific food allergies or a vitamin deficient diet.
- Dairy Consumption – Dairy can cause ringing in the ears as it increases mucus production in the sinuses and eustachian tubes.
- Certain substances – Such as alcohol, smoking and caffeinated beverages
- Overall poor health and habits – Which contribute to medical conditions noted above
- Stress, Anxiety and emotional disturbances
- Toxins and environmental factors – Simple things like the wrong toothpaste can trigger tinnitus.
Medical Contributors to Tinnitus Include:
- Blockages of the ear due to a buildup of wax
- Ear infections or Meniere’s disease, which affects the inner part of the ear
- A tumor of the nerve that allows us to hear (auditory nerve)
- A perforated eardrum
- Otosclerosis, a disease that results in stiffening of the small bones in the middle ear
- Other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, anemia, and an under active thyroid gland
- Neck or jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
Are There Other Causes of Tinnitus?
Here’s what we know. Experts agree that there are many possible medical and lifestyle causes of tinnitus. Unfortunately it gets really confusing because the causes are not all the same for all sufferers, and often a person’s condition can be brought about by 2 or more causes! Even well-intentioned health care providers have difficulty prescribing a clear path for treatment.
Fortunately, there is good news. If you follow some simple steps you have excellent chances of reducing or eliminating your tinnitus completely. The first step is to learn as much as you can about the possible causes so you can take charge of your health. We’ll discuss some tinnitus remedies in other articles.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the causes of ringing in the ears. This condition can be managed, and the ringing can be lessened. The most important thing you can do is educate yourself and determine the cause of your tinnitus, so that you can begin working on reduces the ringing for yourself!