Tinnitus can drive you crazy- unending ear ringing, hissing, buzzing or whooshing noises that just don’t stop is enough to send you to the madhouse. Tinnitus and depression often go hand in hand, especially if tinnitus symptoms keep you from getting enough sleep, performing job duties, or having a moment’s peace and quiet. In some cases, antidepressants may be the cause of tinnitus, creating a vicious circle of anxiety, sadness, and despair.
Tinnitus caused by Ototoxicity
Many factors may contribute to tinnitus symptoms, including noise-induced ear damage, chronic ear infections, Meniere’s disease, and age-related hearing loss. One of the most treatable causes of tinnitus is ototoxicity (ear poisoning) which occurs when certain chemicals cause a toxic reaction in your ears. Many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs may cause tinnitus ear ringing, including antidepressants for depression and anxiety.
Which drugs cause tinnitus?
Here are some of the most common medications that may cause ringing in the ears from tinnitus. Please do not stop taking a medication without first speaking to your doctor.
- Zoloft (Sertraline), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants. About 1-10% of Zoloft users experience tinnitus symptoms.
- Celexa (Citalopram), also an SSRI antidepressant, causes tinnitus while weaning off the drug.
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics
- Anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer drugs)
- Loop diuretics
- Environmental chemicals like carbon monoxide, xylene, and mercury
- Lipitor (Atorvastatin), a cholesterol-reducing medication
- Zyrtec (Cetirizine), an antihistamine
- Nexium (Esomeprazole), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used for acid reflux
- Prilosec (Omeprazole), also a proton pump inhibitor that may cause tinnitus
- Aspirin is a common cause of tinnitus ototoxicity
- Quinine
So, depression or tinnitus?
If weaning off drugs that cause tinnitus is the cure for ototoxicity, does that mean that you should stop taking Zoloft for anxiety? First, nobody considering weaning off antidepressants should attempt to do so without first consulting in a physician. It’s possible that your doctor will be able to prescribe a different antidepressant that doesn’t cause tinnitus. More importantly, you need to weigh your options.
Which notion bothers you most- the idea of suffering from ringing in the ears, possibly for the rest of your life, or having to cope with depression. If your depression causes you to contemplate suicide, then the answer should be clear. While long-term tinnitus may result in severe depression and, in rare cases, suicide attempts, the majority of tinnitus patients learn how to cope. Bottom line, if your doctor says to stay on the meds, take his advice.
Stress Less to Prevent Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Alternative treatments for tinnitus
Given that many factors may be causing your tinnitus, it makes sense that there exist many possible cures. Some popular alternative treatments for tinnitus are becoming more mainstream, including:
- Acupuncture
- Hypnotherapy
- Natural supplements for tinnitus, such as ginkgo biloba, black cohosh, and zinc
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Read more about tinnitus causes:
11 Signs and Symptoms of Tinnitus caused by Teeth Grinding
How Loud is Too Loud? Prevent Tinnitus Now
Thrill Rides and Scuba Diving: Summertime Activities that Cause Tinnitus
Sources:
The A to Z of Tinnitus Remedies
Tinnitus symptoms are continuous ear ringing, buzzing or hissing in the inner ear that only the tinnitus sufferer can hear. Tinnitus sufferers may experience ringing in the ears all day, or it may come and go in phases. Tinnitus noises may also vary in pitch and volume, depending on the amount of inner ear damage to the cochlea, a network inside the ear that is crucial for good hearing. While there is no long-term cure for tinnitus, experts have agreed that certain vitamins can be beneficial for alleviating the effects of hearing loss and tinnitus.
Below is a list of the 4 best vitamins for tinnitus relief:
Vitamin A
The cochlea of the inner ear stores large amounts of vitamin A, and relies on sufficient stores in order to receive and interpret sound efficiently, according to Dr. George E. Shambaugh Jr, author of “Healing with Vitamins.” In his book, Dr. Shambaugh recommends vitamin A, in conjunction with vitamin E, as an effective tinnitus treatment. Good sources of vitamin A are orange fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupe, yams, carrots and pumpkin. Tuna and spinach are also high in vitamin A.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B12 affects the way we touch, taste, see and hear, so it is not surprising that vitamin B12 deficiency leads to symptoms such as altered taste perception, visual disturbances, numbness or tingling, and chronic tinnitus. One Tel Aviv study, which focused on Israeli servicemen with tinnitus, found a high correlation between symptoms of tinnitus and vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in lean meats, fish, eggs and dairy products.
Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential vitamin, which is included in many tinnitus remedies. Nutritionists believe that a magnesium deficiency corrupts the ability of the cochlea to function properly by constricting vessels that lead to the inner ear. Magnesium occurs naturally in food sources such as brown rice, bananas, beans and oats.
Zinc
Zinc is another nutrient that is associated with tinnitus and hearing loss. A study featured in Otology and Neurotology determined that low levels of zinc may be a cause of tinnitus. The University of Michigan Health System reported in 1985 that 25% of tinnitus sufferers who had low zinc levels noticed a marked reduction in tinnitus symptoms when they increased their zinc intake. Foods that are highest in zinc include oysters, wheat germ, veal liver and sesame seeds.
Read more about tinnitus treatment and prevention:
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Gingko Biloba as a Treatment for Tinnitus
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/261616-vitamins-for-ringing-ears/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8639287
http://www.ehow.com/about_5468633_vitamins-tinnitus-relief.html
http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/zinc.php
Many is the number of times a tinnitus sufferers has asked himself, “What did I do wrong? How did I cause this tinnitus, and how do I get rid of it?” Although noise-related damage is the #1 cause of tinnitus, there are other known triggers.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus (ti-NIGHT-us or TIN-i-tus) is a hearing loss related condition which affects 50 million people in the US alone, although only 12 million seek medical help for their tinnitus. The symptoms of tinnitus are mild to loud whooshing, buzzing, clicking or ringing noises in the ears of varying pitch, duration and frequency. Some individuals have mild enough symptoms of tinnitus that it doesn’t interfere with their lives; they might not even notice it. Chronic tinnitus sufferers who have severe symptoms find difficulty concentrating on even small tasks, become extra-sensitive to extraneous noise and are often woken up in the middle of the night by tinnitus ringing in the ears; many experience anxiety and depression because of their tinnitus symptoms and even begin to contemplate suicide.
Here is a list of many medications and conditions which could be causing your tinnitus:
- 90% people diagnosed with tinnitus have suffered inner ear damage due to prolonged exposure to dangerously loud noises; many tinnitus patients are musicians, actors, stunt men, job shop workers and individuals who have served in the army or the military. There is evidence that listening to your iPod excessively while wearing ear buds can also create irreversible ear damage.
- Sometimes tinnitus can be caused by excess ear wax or an ear infection; rarely tinnitus symptoms could signal a benign tumor in the ear. See your pharmacist about choosing a safe ear wax removal kit, and visit your doctor to find out if you have an ear infection. You’ll be glad you did.
- Some medications have been proven to cause tinnitus over an extended period of time; aspirin is one widely recognized culprit, in addition to certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, tranquilizers, antidepressants and quinine medications. Tinnitus symptoms have been linked to approximately 200 prescription and nonprescription drugs and medications.
- Sometimes tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss due to old age; as we age, our cochlea in the inner ear begins to deteriorate, significantly reducing our hearing abilities and often producing the ringing noises associated with tinnitus.
- Meniere’s disease causes damage to the inner ear and is a common cause of tinnitus.
- Otosclerosis affects the bones in the middle ear, causing hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, bad circulation, anemia, allergies, diabetes and underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) may contribute to hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms, as they restrict blood flow to the ears.
- In some cases tinnitus is caused by Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), which may be caused by teeth grinding, excessive gum chewing, stress, jaw damage or dental problems.
- Head or neck injuries can also cause tinnitus symptoms.
Sources:
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, MedicineNet, Medicine Plus, Wikipedia, WebMD, American Tinnitus Association
Tinnitus been keeping you up nights? The constant ringing, whispering, or buzzing is enough to drive anybody mad. While it is not a disease (medically speaking, tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition), and there is no actual “cure” for tinnitus, there are remedies and strategies which are available to help you cope or reduce your tinnitus symptoms.
Before you visit an audiologist, determine that the cause of your tinnitus is not a result of actual ear damage; the following checklist will help you decide if a trip to the doctor’s office is necessary:
- Cut out caffeinated products.
- Remove earwax with hydrogen peroxide or over-the-counter earwax removal systems.
- Quit smoking, at least long enough to see if tinnitus symptoms disappear. (You might even decide to stay smoke-free!)
- If noise exposure is a part of your work environment, remember to wear ear plugs.
- Try relaxing; sometimes tinnitus is caused by excess stress.
- Various homeopathic remedies are available to help reduce and alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus.
If tinnitus symptoms persist even after following these tips, you might need to visit an audiologist.
Here are some questions your audiologist will ask about your symptoms of tinnitus:
- Which ear is troubling you most, or is it prominent in both ears?
- Is the ringing constant, or are there moments of silence?
- Do the sounds vary by day, noon or evening, or do you experience the symptoms of tinnitus regardless of the time of day?
- Does the sound you hear have a high or low pitch?
- Is the noise loud, soft, or does the volume vary?
- Do certain medications or caffeinated beverages exacerbate your symptoms of tinnitus?
- Is your tinnitus making it excessively difficult for you to work, sleep and concentrate?
- On a scale of 1 to10, how bothered are you by your tinnitus?
Answering these questions accurately will bring you one step closer to naming the cause of your tinnitus and finding relief through proper tinnitus treatment.
Sources:
Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, a constant buzzing, roaring or chirping sound in the inner or outer ear. While some head noise is normal, individuals with severe tinnitus are plagued with incessant babble throughout their day. Routine activities such as checking one’s email and driving to the market become unbearably difficult and full of distractions. Many patients of this incurable disease fall into bouts of anxiety and depression.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often caused by exposure to loud noises; musicians and army soldiers make up for a large percentage of its patients. Health experts predict an increase in tinnitus and other hearing-related diseases as a result of the popularity of noise-cancelling iPod earbuds which produce unhealthy levels of noise waves and may cause permanent ear damage.
Musicians warn teens to lower the volume
Most people are unaware of this affliction; many probably have it and didn’t realize they were not alone. Celebrities such as Wil.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and William Shatner are trying to change all that.
Wil.i.am told the Sun that music is his only escape from the constant ringing of tinnitus; much of his success can be attributed to his inability to slow down.
Music is his only escape
“I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain,” says the singer for the Black Eyed Peas.
Jack Black, famous for his rowdy rocker persona, also warns teens to protect their hearing in this YouTube video:
Heavy metal drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who also suffers from tinnitus, delivers his speech on hearing loss in this video funded by H.E.A.R:
The Tinnitus Foundation released this montage of famous people with tinnitus, including Pete Townshend, David Letterman, Barbra Streisand and Ronald Reagan.
William Shatner and co-star Leonard Nimoy were often exposed to loud eruptions on the sets of the Star Trek films. In his video for the American Tinnitus Association, William Shatner describes an explosion during filming which forever altered his hearing ability.
More people are sticking things into their ears than ever before.
Specifically, I’m referring to canal-filling ear buds, Bluetooth devices and noise-cancelling headphones. Yes, even 75-year-old grandmothers can be seen chatting away on their cell phones while picking up a latte on the way to their bingo tournaments. And no strangers to technology are your average kindergarteners. Witness the latest Monkey Preschool Lunchbox app on iTunes:
It’s the auditory equivalent of jabbing a q-tip in your ears.
Experts are warning people to throw away the ear bud devices which come with every iPod. According to hear-it.org, more people are suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus than ever before, and at an earlier age than previously recorded; you don’t need to look much further than your own handheld smartphone to see why. Technology produces headsets that are louder, longer-lasting and more powerful, promising consumers a completely sound-proof vacuum of telephonic paradise.
Hearing damage is irreversible.
Hurting your ears isn’t like breaking a bone that can be repaired. Once you’ve damaged the tiny “hair cells” in the ear’s cochlea the damage is permanent, as your body is not able to regenerate new cells. Many people who are exposed loud noises in the workplace experience lifelong hearing loss and tinnitus.
How cool is that?
Not too cool.
Take it from pop/rock stars such as will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who have been reaching out to teens and warning them to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus. Says will.i.am regarding the constant ringing he has in his ears as a result of tinnitus,”I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain.”
Ginkgo biloba is often used to treat tinnitus.
How loud is too loud?
One hour of iPod music in the range of 110-120 decibels causes the same amount of damage as a rock concert. Comparatively, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a safety standard of no more than 110 dBA, 30 minutes per day, while the typical preteen listens mp3 music for several hours every day.
What are your alternatives?
Safe headphones may be purchased online. IHearSafe uses Safe Volume technology and guarantees their headphones will never go over 85 decibels, regardless of setting.
What are some good treatments for tinnitus?
Sufferers of tinnitus have found some relief through breathing exercises, stress management, acupuncture and supplements such as Tinnitus DX.
Sources:
As we now know, the most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud sound which damages the ears. This may occur over an extended period of time or after just one particular experience with excessive noise. However, previously excessive noise exposure was a hazard of a few particular jobs, nowadays anyone with a pair of headphones/earphones and a mp3/cd player can become affected by sounds which are too loud for the ear. Although earphone and headphone makers design the items not to damage the physical structure of the ear, they are restricted from controlling the level of sound output, which is often the culprit in emerging tinnitus. Some manufacturers of portable music devices have attempted to introduce safety circuitry that limited output volume or warned the user when dangerous volume was being used, but the concept has been rejected by most of the buying public, which favors the personal choice of high volume. Koss introduced the “Safelite” line of cassette players in 1983 with such a warning light. The line was discontinued two years later for lack of interest
Most commonly tinnitus appears after prolonged and extreme overuse – such as listening to music for 5-8 hours a day at the loudest settings, although for some just a single blast of noise is enough to damage the ear, causing hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms. It is suggested that if earphones are used the time exposed to sound should be limited to 1 hour a day to protect hearing.
Doctors do suggest using headphones instead of earphones when possible as most earphones do not block out background noise, often pompting the user to turn up the volume. Those earphones that insert into the ear cannal can be even worse. “Insert earphones can boost the signal by as much as six to nine decibels. That’s about the difference between the sound of a vacuum cleaner and a motorcycle” – Dean Garstecki
Doctors also suggest that if you expect to visit an area where you will be exposed to prolonged loud sounds, like a concert or a construction site, you should equip yourself accordingly. The best way to do this is with use of earplugs and ear-muffs. There is a wide variety of these available on the market, offering different levels of protection which will block out excessive noise and prevent hearing loss. Protect your ears today so they may serve you well tomorrow.
