Learn how to Ignore Persistent Tinnitus Noise
50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus ear ringing, but only 12 million ever seek tinnitus treatment. Learn simple ways to ignore…and stop tinnitus noise.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a hearing disorder that causes you to hear “phantom” sounds that only you can hear. Sounds vary in pitch, frequency, and duration, and may fluctuate from one ear to the other. Tinnitus patients often use the following words to describe their tinnitus ear noises: ringing, whooshing, buzzing, chirping, clicking, crackling, screaming, roaring, crickets, hissing, beeping, and in rare cases, music. Free Digital Photos
What causes tinnitus?
Sometimes tinnitus results from damage to the cochlea of the inner ear; in such cases, hearing loss may 
follow. People who run a high risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss are individuals that regularly expose themselves to dangerously high noise decibels, such as explosions, loud music, construction site noise, job shop manufacturing, and engine noises. Alternatively, tinnitus may result from chronic ear infections, puncturing of the eardrum, and medications such as pain relievers and antidepressants. Free Digital Photos
7 Most Harmful Trickle-Down Effects of Noise Pollution
Is there any treatment for tinnitus?
While there is no actual cure for tinnitus, some treatments are helpful for alleviating most of the symptoms. Popular tinnitus therapies include tinnitus retraining, sleep pillows, hearing aids, and nutritional supplements. Overwhelmingly, though, most tinnitus patients eventually learn to “ignore” their tinnitus noises until they no longer notice them.
How do you ignore loud, persistent tinnitus ringing?
It’s not easy to ignore something that stays with you all day, as is the case for most people who suffer from chronic tinnitus. If tinnitus noises are interfering with your ability to relax, sleep, work, hold a conversation, or listen to music, then it’s imperative that you learn how to ignore the “elephant in the living room.” Easier said than done, but it is possible.
Here are some activities that may distract you from overwhelming tinnitus ear ringing:
- Listen to the radio, or to an environmental noise CD. Many tinnitus sufferers find relief through nature sounds such as rainfall, crickets, beach waves, and forest sounds. Read: White Noise Sound Machines- The 5 Best Reviewed by Customers
- Turn on the TV, or pop in a DVD, even if just for the background noise. For many tinnitus patients, nothing is more agonizing than (near-complete) silence.
- Turn on your computer, and surf the web for a while. Check out some helpful websites and blogs for tinnitus sufferers. Read: 40+ Best Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Sites
- Start a simple art project, such as painting, mosaics, or decoupage. Free Digital Photos
Read a good book, like a thriller, romance, or humor novel.- Exercise! Run around the block, dust off your elliptical machine, walk your dog, or do a few laps around the mall.
- Clean the house- nothing’s more soothing to a tinnitus sufferer than the steady hum of a vacuum cleaner.
- Organize your garage, or other work area. Free Digital Photos
- Take up woodworking, or sewing. The repetitive movements and background noises can be therapeutic for tinnitus patients.
Go for drive- your focus will be on the road and street sounds, not on your inner ear noises.- Do a crossword puzzle.
- Call friend on the phone- it will help for relieving stress, and break the tinnitus cycle.
- Turn on a fan; the gentle whooshing noise of a floor fan is one of the best sounds for “shushing” tinnitus ear ringing.
- Fold laundry- not only will it keep you busy, but the sound of the clothes dryer will silence annoying tinnitus ringing. Free Digital Photos
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Related reading:
Speaker Pillows for Tinnitus Therapy- 8 Comfy Music Pillows
Tinnitus Symptoms Making you Turn to Sleeping Pills? Read about Side Effects of Sleep Drugs
These 4 Vitamins are Tops for Treating Tinnitus
Millions of Americans suffer from tinnitus, a condition which is described as constant ringing in the ears. No tinnitus cure exists, but some remedies and life changes are helpful for coping with tinnitus symptoms.
This year, Tinnitus Awareness Week falls on May 15-21.
About 50 million Americans experience tinnitus hearing loss, but not all of them realize it or are bothered by it. The severity of tinnitus symptoms can range according to the level of ear damage or neurological disorder. Some tinnitus patients may report a mild buzzing in one ear, while chronic tinnitus sufferers may be plagued with loud phantom tinnitus noises in one or both ears. Frequency, volume and pitch differs by patient, as well as the type of sound described by various sufferers.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Noises which have been attributed to tinnitus symptoms include:
- ringing
- screeching
- buzzing
- whooshing
- roaring
- chirping
- clicking
- hissing
Another phenomenon associated with tinnitus are auditory hallucinations, or musical ear syndrome, which have been described as familiar singing or speech sounds when none exist. Tinnitus patients have admitted to noticing and sometimes enjoying musical interludes, only to discover later that it was all in their heads. It’s important to note that these phantom sounds are neurologically based, and not in any way a symptom of mental illness.
Objective Tinnitus: It’s Not All in your Head
How is tinnitus caused?
Most people think that tinnitus and other hearing-related disorders are symptoms of old age; this is often the case, but a significant percentage of hearing loss also exists among children and young adults.
Besides hearing loss among the elderly, tinnitus symptoms are also caused by:
- Inner ear damage caused by loud noises and frequent in-ear headphone usage
- Chronic ear infections
- Jaw strain
- Drug interactions
- Eardrum damage caused by cotton swabs or other foreign objects
- Meniere’s disease
- Premature birth
- Excess earwax
- Family history
How can I prevent tinnitus?
Most of the causes of tinnitus are avoidable. Some good preventative measures go a long way towards preventing tinnitus and other forms of hearing loss.
- Always wear ear protection if you work in a noisy environment or attend frequent concerts.
- Wear swimmer’s ear plugs.
- Avoid in-ear style ear buds when listening to music.
- Keep the volume at a moderate level.
- Consult in your doctor before trying any new pain medications.
- Clean ears frequently by wiping with a soft cloth.
- Never stick cotton swabs or other pointy objects in your ears.
- Practice relaxation methods to avoid jaw tension.
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Confused about how much noise is considered too loud?
The NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) offers a handy Interactive Sound Ruler on their website to help you understand the difference between healthy volumes and eardrum-splitting noise decibel levels.
For more information on tinnitus, read:
When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Coming Soon: iPod Device to Treat Tinnitus
Sources:
http://pain.com/library/2011/05/16-tinnitus-awareness-week/
http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles/mes.htm
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/education/decibel/decibel.asp
Tinnitus is a condition which causes constant ringing in the ears; while in some cases “phantom” tinnitus symptoms are neurologically based, other tinnitus causes involve tinnitus sounds which can be heard by a tinnitus specialist.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a hearing loss related disorder which affects millions of Americans. Although not a disease, tinnitus symptoms are caused by an underlying medical condition. Tinnitus sufferers hear constant ear ringing that is unrelated to any actual noise outside their bodies. Tinnitus sounds are described as ringing, clicking, roaring, buzzing or chirping sounds. Severity of the tinnitus symptoms determines the frequency, pitch and volume of the tinnitus noises.
What are the causes of tinnitus?
Tinnitus symptoms can arise from a variety of causes. In fact, there are hundreds of medications which are known to contribute to tinnitus.
Tinnitus is caused by:
- Age related hearing loss
- Noise induced damage to the inner ear, usually from long-term exposure to dangerously high noise levels, including loud music through iPod ear buds, manufacturing job shop noises, engines and explosions.
- Excessive ear wax
- Puncturing of the ear drum with a cotton swab or other foreign object
- Drug interactions, such as birth control, antibiotics, quinine, antidepressants and anti-inflammatories
- Medical conditions like Meniere’s disease, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) or chronic ear infections
- Also read: Which Came First- Tinnitus or Hearing Loss?
What is the difference between objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus?
Subjective tinnitus emanates from the inner ear and is only heard by the tinnitus patient. Most cases of chronic tinnitus are subjective, and are believed to be caused by neurological disorders involving the cochlea of the inner ear and its communication with brain circuits which are responsible for interpreting sounds.
Objective tinnitus involves audible clicking sounds which are caused by bone structure near the inner ear. Tinnitus specialists are usually able to hear small noises caused by objective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is the less common than subjective tinnitus.
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
What tinnitus treatments are effective for curing tinnitus?
There are no known tinnitus cures which can stop tinnitus symptoms forever, but many promising herbs for tinnitus have been proven helpful for alleviating ear ringing and providing measured relief from chronic tinnitus.
- Ginkgo Biloba has been scientifically proved as an effective natural remedy for tinnitus, and is one of many nutrients which are combined in many tinnitus medications to treat the symptoms which cause tinnitus, such as high blood pressure, inflammation and constricted blood vessels.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy uses environmental background noise to banish tinnitus sounds. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
- Hearing aids help with tinnitus symptoms which are caused by hearing loss.
- Tinnitus maskers are wearable devices which provide tinnitus relief by competing with tinnitus ear ringing. Tinnitus Maskers: Relief is on the Way
- For more information on treatment of tinnitus, read The Many Causes of Tinnitus.
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Scientists have been trying to develop a tinnitus cure for the characteristically annoying ringing in the ears associated with tinnitus practically since the first caveman clubbed himself on top of the head to stop tinnitus buzzing sounds from driving him crazy. Over the years, some promising tinnitus remedies have given tinnitus sufferers relief, but as of yet no actual tinnitus cure exists to permanently stop tinnitus in its tracks.
Enter melatonin.
According to a study, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis found a correlation between the melatonin hormone and decreased tinnitus symptoms. Melatonin is produced by the brain to regulate our sleeping patterns; doctors often prescribe melatonin pills for patients with sleep disorders such as insomnia. Scientists believe that by guaranteeing a better night’s sleep, melatonin has the potential to significantly help tinnitus patients.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a hearing-related condition which affects millions of Americans. Tinnitus symptoms are constant noises in the ears, unrelated to any actual noises in the environment, and not heard by anybody else. These tinnitus “phantom” sounds are described as ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, chirping or screaming noises. Volume and frequency can vary in relation to the severity of the condition. Some tinnitus causes are old age, noise-induced inner ear damage, drug interactions and chronic ear infections.
Research points to melatonin for tinnitus treatment
- The study, which was published in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, focused on 18 elderly individuals who suffered from chronic tinnitus symptoms.
- Participants were questioned about the severity of their tinnitus symptoms and their regular sleep patterns.
- Scientists prescribed 3mg. of melatonin every day over the course of 4 weeks.
- Tinnitus patients were monitored during the 4 week course of melatonin, and for an additional 4 weeks following treatment.
- All of the elderly tinnitus patients reported that they slept better while taking the melatonin pills and also experienced fewer and less severe tinnitus ringing in the ears.
- Even 4 weeks after stopping the melatonin medication, participants said they continued to enjoy significant tinnitus relief, leading researchers to conclude that prescribing melatonin as a tinnitus medication could have some long-lasting benefits as a remedy for tinnitus caused by poor sleep.
5 Mistakes Tinnitus Sufferers Make
Stop the tinnitus circle
Constant ringing in the ears, clicking and buzzing sounds, and ear discomfort can make it difficult to get to sleep. Tinnitus patients often report become woken up in the middle of the night by loud roaring sounds; by morning they are fatigued and restless. Chronic tinnitus sufferers go through stages of deep depression, resulting from lack of sleep and desperation at not being able to find a cure for the tinnitus symptoms that torment them. Poor sleep leads to nervousness and anxiety, which in turn heighten the severity of the tinnitus symptoms, and the circle continues.
6 Anxiety Busting Tricks- Try Them Now!
While melatonin pills are helpful for providing more restful sleep to tinnitus patients, only a reduction of the symptoms which cause the tinnitus can effectively alleviate tinnitus for good. Exercise, meditation, and tinnitus retraining therapy have been proven beneficial for providing tinnitus relief. Also, increasing blood flow to the brain and flushing toxins are essential steps towards alleviating tinnitus. Dietary supplements containing vinpocetine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, niacin and folic acid have been tested by scientists and proven to be effective tinnitus remedies.
Also read:
Stop that Ringing in your Ears: Get Tinnitus Treatment Now
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Sources:
Do you suffer from tinnitus ringing in the ears? Before you can get tinnitus treatment, you must visit the doctor for a hearing test, as a common cause of tinnitus symptoms is hearing loss.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus symptoms are characterized by incessant noises in one or both ears that are not caused by any actual noise around you, nor are heard by anybody else. Sufferers of tinnitus usually describe the sounds they hear as ringing in the ears, but tinnitus symptoms can vary. Other tinnitus patients complain of constant roaring, whooshing, clicking, whistling, chirping or buzzing sounds in their ears. Other factors can vary according to the severity of the tinnitus symptoms, including noise frequency, volume or pitch of tinnitus sounds. Also, the condition can occur in one ear only, or both ears at once, or it can fluctuate between ears. It is not uncommon for a tinnitus sufferer to go through phases when the tinnitus symptoms are inactive, only to resurface later. Occasionally a person will experience the symptoms of tinnitus only once in his entire lifetime.
What causes tinnitus?
About 50 million people in the US have experienced or currently suffer from tinnitus symptoms. Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a hearing loss-related condition which happens as a result of contributing factors or causes. Tinnitus can occur in old age, and frequently is accompanied or followed by hearing loss. However, tinnitus symptoms can also be caused by inner ear damage. The cochlea of the inner ear is responsible for translating sound signals, so any significant damage to the inner ear canal can result in tinnitus symptoms and hearing loss.
Examples of inner ear damage which can cause tinnitus ear ringing are:
- Puncturing of the eardrum with cotton swabs or other hard, pointy objects
- Noise-related ear damage caused by in-ear iPod ear buds, exposure to loud special effects, engines, machinery or concert music
- Chronic ear infections
- Meniere’s disease
Sometimes tinnitus is caused by drug interactions, such as anti-inflammatories, birth control, antibiotics or quinine medication. Always tell you doctor if you think a new medication might be giving you tinnitus symptoms.
How do you get treatment for tinnitus?
See a physician if you are experiencing any consistent ringing in the ears. An ENT or audiologist can give you a proper diagnosis. According to most scientists, there is no actual cure for tinnitus, but some treatment options are available. Tinnitus maskers are helpful for reducing some of the tinnitus noises; tinnitus retraining therapy involves wearing a noise generator which produces a competing sound, such as environmental noise, thereby “shushing” the tinnitus ringing noises. Tinnitus sufferers have also found relief by practicing meditation, yoga and visualization.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: the Sounds of Silence
Much research has been done on the health benefits of gingko biloba for tinnitus and hearing loss symptoms. Gingko biloba has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, fatigue and dementia. Because it increases blood flow, gingko biloba is also effective for treating hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches and other conditions which are caused when constricted blood vessels restrict blood flow through the head.
A list of other popular tinnitus treatments are available on the American Tinnitus Association website.
Also read:
Thrill Rides and Scuba Diving: Summertime Activities that Cause Tinnitus
When Children Suffer Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Sources:
American Tinnitus Association, MedicineNet, Mayo Clinic
Music legend Phil Collins, renowned former lead singer of Genesis and accomplished musical choreographer, is stepping off the stage of his career. The 60-year-old performer has announced that health problems, including hearing loss, have made it impossible for him to continue as a musician.
Phil Collins on the cover of Rolling Stone
Did chronic noise exposure make the music die?
Your ears can only handle so much stimulation; hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition where sufferers hear a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, are common ailments of musicians, as exposure to unhealthy levels of decibels is one of their occupational hazards. Jam sessions, never-ending concert line-ups and frequent iPod ear bud usage all account for irreversible damage to the cochlea in the inner ear.
Celebrities raise tinnitus awareness
How much is too much?
The National Institutes of Health define noise induced hearing loss as damage done to the ears as a result of constant exposure to loud noises greater than 75 decibels. Comparatively, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a safety standard of no more than 110 decibels. Musicians, stunt men and individuals who have served in the army or the air force are constantly exposed to decibels much greater than the amount advised by health experts; as a result they are most likely to suffer from irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus.
How can we protect our hearing and avoid the symptoms of tinnitus?
- If you work in an setting which requires constant exposure to loud noises, be vigilant about wearing protective earplugs.
- Avoid wearing iPod ear buds; opt instead for volume-controlled safe headphones which can be purchased on the internet.
- Listen to music on a moderate setting.
- Turn off the television or radio when not engaged; don’t be tempted to keep them on as “background noise.”
Sources:
Find your inner sanctum.
Tranquility with Tinnitus? Sounds like an oxymoron if there ever was one, but it’s no joke. Finding peace of mind with a constant ringing in your ear or some of the various other sounds associated with tinnitus might seem like a distant dream. Whooshing, clicks, cricket sounds- it seems like more than you can handle.
There might not be any outright cures for tinnitus in this day and age, but there are coping mechanisms to help you find peace of mind: meditation, homeopathic remedies…and faith.
Part I of Tranquility with Tinnitus will help you find your inner sanctuary from tinnitus using three relaxation techniques recommended by the Mayo Clinic.
Setting the Scenario
Begin by finding a nice warm, quiet room free of disturbances. If there is a telephone, disconnect it. Cover the television or computer with a small throw. Soften the lights, set up some soothing “white noise” like a gentle fan or relaxation CD. Take off your shoes, lay down on a mat or soft rug and begin…
1) Autogenic relaxation
Autogenic relaxation means looking inwards with your “third eye,” as it’s referred to in transcendental meditation.
- Slowly breathe in at the count of three;
- Hold the breathe for the count of three;
- Very slowly release your breathe at the count of six, imagining a balloon gently losing air through a pinhole.
- Concentrate on slowing your heartbeat.
- Make a mental checklist of any sensations, sounds or pains which are going through your body; recognize them, accept them and breathe towards them.
- Repeat a soothing mantra; use that mantra throughout the day anytime you feel stressed and feel and need to return to your “safe place.”
2) Progressive muscle relaxation
Progressive relaxation is a great way to give your muscles a massage from the inside. In times of acute anxiety a mini-PMR can be done inconspicuously at your desk or even while dining at a restaurant.
- Lie flat, getting yourself into a relaxed position.
- Will your muscles to let go, release tension.
- Direct your inner eye to your right foot; clench it tightly. Now, let go and feel the warmth as your muscles relax. Repeat with the left foot.
- Slowly and systematically work your way upwards, tightening and releasing your legs, abdominal muscles, chest, back, shoulders and arms.
- Much stress is stored in the head, so don’t neglect this vital area. Focus on your neck, jaws, cheeks, ears, eyes and forehead.
- Many find that PMR, with practice, brings on a deep sensation of euphoria and inner quietude.
3) Visualization
Another common practice is to use your imagination as a tool for relaxation; many meditation CD’s are available which will guide you through various exercises.
- Imagine yourself in your comfort zone; this could be anyplace that makes you feel happy and safe, such as the beach or a rustic woods. See the deep blue ocean, a purplish sunrise or emerald green pastures.
- Focus on all the sounds of your comfort zone; crashing waves, birds winging, etc.
- Now imagine tactile sensations, like the gentle breeze, woolly pine needles, or the warm sun on your face.
- Smell the salty ocean air or the deep incense of the forest.
Many tinnitus sufferers have found their symptoms lessened through practiced meditation. If you have a hectic schedule, try waking up a half-hour early and setting aside that time to meditate. Not only will it get your day off to a good start, it will also give you a sort of mental “home page” to go back to when things seem to be spiraling out of control.
Recommended reading: The Calm Technique: Meditation without Magic or Mysticism, by Paul Wilson
Sources:
Birmingham and District Tinnitus Group
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:
Douglas Nelson, a licensed massage therapist (Massage & Bodywork, Sept./Oct. 2009) writes about a call from a woman with tinnitus. Following a car accident, she developed ringing in the ears – tinnitus. She traveled to numerous doctors for a cure for her tinnitus, and underwent numerous tests. However, no tinnitus cure was offered.
Ultimately, she discovered that pushing up on the jaw stopped the ringing. Was this a cure of tinnitus?
What is the connection between tinnitus and the jaw?
Mr. Nelson cites a study by Carina A.C. Rocha and Tanit Ganz Sanchez from the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine. In this study, people with tinnitus had their muscles surrounding the jaw examined. These muscles are collectively known as “trigger points,” which are areas that when aggravated, will cause tinnitus. According to the same study, treating these trigger points with neuromuscular therapy reduced the symptoms of the tinnitus.
Based on her symptoms and the literature, Mr. Nelson prescribed precision neuromuscular therapy (similar to massage therapy) for treatment of her tinnitus.
Our product, TinnutusDX, is an herbal remedy for tinnitus.
