There is a strong correlation between the ability to manage stress and tinnitus relief. People who develop tinnitus (phantom noises in the ear) as result of stress tend to find themselves in a strange predicament. On the one hand, stress in their lives triggers the symptoms of tinnitus. On the other hand, their ability to relax and sleep is impaired due to the tinnitus, which only makes the symptoms worse. What is the solution?
Stress is a heightened level of awareness in a person to help protect him from hazardous situations. This “fight or flight” response is inherent in every human being. For example, if a battle was taking place, this system would kick in, and the person’s body would be geared to run for his life or fight to the death. However, this stress mechanism was only meant to give a person a temporary boost in energy. Too much stress can wear out a person’s body and weaken his immune system.
When there is too much stress on a person over a prolonged period of time, a person tends to feel anxiety, tired and depressed. Many people do things to manage their stress in ways that harm the body, such as using medications, smoking or drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. If a person is already suffering from tinnitus as a result of stress, the symptoms will only get worse as a result.
There are many things a person can do to relax, and thus eliminate stress as well as the need for foreign substances. First of all, each person should take time to walk, lift weights or engage in some form of physical activity for at least 15 minutes each day. This will increase blood flow and help him sleep at night.
In addition to physical activity, other methods of relieving stress include listening to music, reading and talking to friends. Hobbies such as craft projects can be very rewarding and relaxing, too.
Finally, avoiding fried foods and eating fruits and vegetables each day can help a person feel better, sleep better and feel happier.
Tinnitus is the condition when a person hears phantom noises that don’t exist. There are many causes of tinnitus. They include ear infections, medications and congenital hearing loss. However, the most common cause of tinnitus is hearing loss as a result of loud noises.
How loud does a noise have to be in order to cause hearing loss and tinnitus?
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that noises louder than 85 decibels can cause hearing damage. Furthermore, the longer a person is exposed to this noise, the more likely a person is to suffer hearing loss and tinnitus.
A single bark of a dog from four feet away is as loud as 95 decibels, louder than the
85 decibel limit recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). If your dog is closer to you than four feet away, that number could be much higher.
Two dogs together barking would be 3 decibels higher which would total 98 decibels.
The extent to which a loud noise would be dangerous is how much noise over what period of time. A person who is exposed to a barking dog for several hours may suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus.
There are two types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is physical damage to the ear, such as broken ear bones. Surgery is the best option for this type of damage.
With regard to sensorineural hearing loss, the nerve in the inner ear is damaged. Unfortunately, the only solution is a hearing aid.
Tinnitus is yet another result of nerve damage to the ear. This is a phantom noise that a person hears even when no auditory stimulus is present.
There are two types of tinnitus: objective and subjective. The advantage of objective tinnitus is that it can be measured by an ENT. With subjective tinnitus, however, the severity is based solely on the claim made by the patient.
If you think you may have a loss of hearing, you should be checked by an audiologist. If you hear sounds inside your head, you should make a visit to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist (ENT).
If you are a dog owner, and your dog barks loudly, ask your audiologist or Ear, Nose & Throat specialist (ENT) what you can do to prevent further damage to your ears.
