Tinnitus Help - Stop the Ringing in Your Ears

According to WebMD misophonia is "a disorder in which certain sounds trigger emotional or physiological responses that some might perceive as unreasonable given the circumstance. Those who have misophonia might describe it as when a sound 'drives you crazy.' Their reactions can range from anger and annoyance to panic and the need to flee." Misophonia has sometimes been associated with disorders such as tinnitus, although they are two distinct conditions. Here are some reasons why they might be associated: Sensory Processing : Both misophonia and tinnitus involve abnormalities in auditory processing in the brain. Some researchers suggest that both conditions might share similarities in how the brain processes sound, leading to an overlap in symptoms or triggers. Stress and Anxiety : Both misophonia and tinnitus can be exacerbated by stress and anxiety. Some individuals with one condition might be more prone to developing the other due to heightened stress levels. Hyper

Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears, affects millions worldwide. It's not merely an inconvenience; it can significantly impact one's quality of life, disrupting sleep, concentration, and overall well-being. Fortunately, various treatments exist to alleviate its effects, ranging from Tinnitus Sound Therapy to Behavioral Approaches. Understanding the nuances and differences between these approaches is key to finding relief. Tinnitus Sound Therapy: A Melodic Solution Tinnitus Sound Therapy, also known as sound masking or sound therapy, employs external noises to divert attention from the persistent ringing or buzzing sounds. The fundamental principle is to introduce soothing sounds that either partially or completely mask the tinnitus, making it less noticeable and reducing its perceived loudness. One common method involves using white noise machines, nature sounds, or specially designed tinnitus masking devices. These devices emit ge

Living with tinnitus can be an overwhelming experience. The persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears can both disrupt your daily life and affect your emotional well-being. While there might not be a single cure for this condition, there are ways to manage its effects and reduce the noise through small yet impactful lifestyle changes. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques : Stress can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. Engaging in mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress levels. By reducing stress, you may notice a decrease in the intensity of tinnitus noise. Dietary Adjustments : Certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine, alcohol, and high-sodium meals, can worsen tinnitus symptoms. Making dietary adjustments by reducing the intake of these substances may help alleviate the noise. Regular Exercise : Physical activity not only benefits overall health but can also have a positive impact on tinnitus. Exercise improv

Do you ever experience that persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears that just won't seem to go away? You're not alone! This condition is called tinnitus, and it can be quite bothersome. Fortunately, there's an interesting technique called brainwave entrainment that aims to alleviate some of those frustrating symptoms. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus is like having your own personal concert of ringing, buzzing, or whistling in your ears when there's actually no external sound present. It can show up for various reasons: exposure to loud noises, ear infections, underlying health issues, or even stress. The constant noise can interfere with concentration, sleep, and overall well-being, making it a real nuisance. What is Brainwave Entrainment? Brainwave entrainment might sound like a complex term, but it's a fascinating process that aims to synchronize brainwaves to certain frequencies using external stimuli. These stimuli can be in the form of sounds, light pulses,

Hey there, fellow tinnitus warriors! If you're one of the many dealing with that persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears, you know how frustrating it can be. But guess what? There might be some lifestyle changes you can make that could help reduce that bothersome noise—yes, all without medication or fancy treatments! Now, let's get real here: tinnitus isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. What works for one person might not work for another. But hey, there's no harm in exploring some lifestyle tweaks that could potentially turn down the volume on that unwelcome noise.  Here are some lifestyle changes worth giving a shot: Embrace the Power of Relaxation Stress often likes to buddy up with tinnitus, making that ringing even more noticeable. So, let's kick stress to the curb! Embrace relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. These can help ease stress levels and possibly dial down the intensity of your tinnitus. Watch Your Diet and Hyd

Tinnitus can be a nuisance — and sometimes more than just a nuisance. Let's explore some natural methods that might help you turn down the volume on that unwelcome noise. Before we jump into these tips, remember that tinnitus can vary from person to person. It might sound like different things—like chirping birds, a high-pitched whine, or even a faint hum. So, let's take a look at some natural remedies that could offer you some relief: Noise reduction . Shielding your ears from loud noises can work wonders in managing tinnitus. Grab some earplugs or earmuffs when you're in noisy environments. Protecting your ears is a simple yet effective step in quieting things down. Lifestyle changes can be a game-changer. Maintaining a healthy routine with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and ample sleep can significantly ease that persistent ringing. So, get moving, eat those veggies, and catch some quality shut-eye! Nature's got some tricks up its sleeve too . Some people find r

We know there are foods that can make your tinnitus worse -- but are there foods that don't trigger your symptoms or make them worse? While you can't eat your way out of tinnitus, some foods seem to be better for the condition than others (at least anecdotally). Try: mackerel, salmon, chicken, beef, and eggs Why? These foods are loaded with Vitamin B12, and that vitamin is related to nerve function and its potential to improve blood flow. Some theories suggest that deficiencies in Vitamin B12 could lead to problems with the nervous system, which might contribute to tinnitus. Additionally, it's thought that Vitamin B12 may help improve blood flow to the inner ear, which could potentially alleviate some tinnitus symptoms. Try: pineapple Why? Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. If your tinnitus is related to inflammation or circulation issues in the ear, bromelain's anti-inflammatory properties might theoretically h

There are certain foods and conditions that can trigger your tinnitus and make your symptoms worse. If you can identify and list things that trigger your tinnitus, you'll be able to better manage the condition. Foods are the easiest to target. For example, let's say caffeine tends to make the sounds in your head really loud, you may want to stay away from coffee, caffeinated tea and soda with caffeine. If your morning coffee is too hard to give up, try to cut back on other caffeine-rich foods like dark chocolate or switch to non-caffeinated herbal tea or caffeine-free white chocolate. You may be consuming caffeine without even knowing it. Lots of additives have caffeine, so if you see ginseng or taurine in the list of ingredients, that drink or food item does have caffeine. It may not be much, but it can add up and potentially make a difference to your tinnitus. Sugar is another culprit in the food arena. Many people see an increase in their tinnitus symptoms when they eat food

Hearing aids aren't often discussed without some embarrassment. Needing hearing aids is akin to letting your hair go gray; an acknowledgment of aging. The Golden Bachelor, a reality dating show on ABC, stars stars 72-year-old Gerry Turner, a retired restauranter and widower, who is looking for love among 60- to 75-year-old contestants. And when Turner told USA Today that it's "important" for fans to know that hearing loss is often part of aging and nothing to be ashamed of, he did a great service for people who wear hearing aids. In the interview, Turner said "I don't want anyone to feel like they have a disadvantage or that they have something to be a little embarrassed about."  He added "that there's nothing wrong with showing the signs of age, and said he didn't feel awkward about using hearing aids." According to the National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH), nearly 30 million American adults need heari

The course of tinnitus can vary from person to person. While some individuals may find their tinnitus improving or resolving over time, others may experience it worsening or remaining constant.  It's important to note that tinnitus itself is a symptom rather than a specific condition, and it can have various underlying causes. Understanding the cause of tinnitus is crucial in predicting its course and potential changes over time. In cases where tinnitus is caused by a temporary factor, such as exposure to loud noise or certain medications, it may improve or even disappear once the underlying cause is addressed or removed. However, if tinnitus is associated with a chronic condition like age-related hearing loss, certain medical conditions, or nerve damage, it may be more persistent. There are management strategies available to help individuals cope with tinnitus, regardless of its course. These can include sound therapy, counseling, stress reduction techniques, and using hearing aid

Tinnitus is not a disease in itself, but it can be a symptom of an underlying issue.  In this blog post, we'll explore what your doctor wishes you knew about tinnitus, including its causes, treatment options, and how you can manage it effectively. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus is not a standalone condition; rather, it's a signal that something isn't quite right in your auditory system. It can be caused by a range of factors, from exposure to loud noises to underlying health conditions like high blood pressure or earwax blockage. Understanding the root cause is crucial for effective management. Seek Professional Advice If you experience persistent tinnitus, the first step is to consult a healthcare professional. They can conduct a thorough examination and recommend appropriate tests to pinpoint the cause. Remember, self-diagnosing or relying on internet advice can often lead to unnecessary anxiety. Managing Stress Can Help Stress and anxiety can exacerbate tinnitus symptom

People with tinnitus seek relief through various methods, including pharmaceuticals. While medication can offer temporary respite, it's essential to understand why relying solely on pharmaceuticals may not be the most sustainable solution for tinnitus sufferers.  Masking the Problem   One of the primary reasons meds may not provide a long-term solution for tinnitus is that they often mask the symptoms rather than address the underlying cause. Medications like benzodiazepines or certain antidepressants can help reduce anxiety or depression associated with tinnitus, but they do not target the root issue. Potential Side Effects Pharmaceuticals, like any form of medication, come with potential side effects. People with tinnitus may already experience heightened sensitivity to certain medications, potentially exacerbating their symptoms. Additionally, the long-term use of some drugs can lead to dependency and other health complications. Limited Effectiveness   While some medications can

Here are ten common mistakes people make when trying to get rid of their tinnitus: Ignoring Professional Advice : One of the biggest mistakes is not seeking help from a healthcare professional. They can provide accurate diagnosis and treatment options. Overlooking Underlying Health Issues : Tinnitus can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition like high blood pressure or ear infections. Ignoring these issues can make your tinnitus worse. Excessive Noise Exposure : Continued exposure to loud environments without protection can exacerbate tinnitus. It's crucial to wear ear protection in noisy settings. Skipping Hearing Tests : Some individuals assume they know the cause of their tinnitus and skip hearing tests. However, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to determine the exact nature of the condition. Focusing on One Treatment Only : Relying solely on one treatment option, such as dietary changes or supplements, without considering a holistic approach can limit the effect

While there is currently no scientifically proven cure for most cases of chronic tinnitus, there are several treatments that can help manage the condition. Here are some of the best tinnitus treatments based on the search results: Earwax removal : Start with the easiest. You may not even know that you have wax on your ear drum, but according to Mayo Clinic, by removing any  earwax blockage , you can decrease or completely eliminate your tinnitus symptoms immediately. Have any underlying conditions treated : If your doctor has diagnosed you with blood vessel conditions, they may be making your tinnitus worse. Whether treatment is medication, surgery, or something else, get it done to address the problem and hopefully reduce your tinnitus. Hearing aids : If your tinnitus is caused by noise-induced or age-related hearing loss, using hearing aids may help improve your symptoms.  White noise machines and/or masking devices : Fans or noise machines and in-ear devices produce a continuous, l

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increases the risk of tinnitus in two ways: it causes hearing loss either directly or indirectly.  According to an article by rheumatologist Judith Frank in Arthritis Health, inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis can damage the tiny joints in the ear and it can also lead to the development of a rheumatoid nodule inside the ear. Still, rheumatologist  Nilanjana Bose notes at WebMD that in order for your hearing to be affected, you must have advanced RA, have had it for a long time, and you don't keep up with inflammation control treatments. In other words, hearing issues are most typically experienced by older people who have had rheumatoid arthritis for some time. Another reason why RA increases the risk of tinnitus is that many of the drugs that help with rheumatoid arthritis can actually bring on tinnitus. These include aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; however, you likely won't experience chronic tinnitus if you limit any N

Blame your brain. According to an article in AARP , "researchers say people experience tinnitus when their brains pick up on a phantom sound and try to identify it but can’t. So the brain continues to focus on that sound and tries to solve the puzzle." And, says Grant Searchfield, head of audiology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, "because the brain can’t make sense of it, the sound becomes the forefront of attention. It’s an unfortunate side effect of how the brain works." It's why sound therapy is such an important approach in treating tinnitus. If you have a sound in your environment that sounds like (or masks) your tinnitus, your brain can stop searching for the source of that phantom sound. Author and tinnitus coach at Rewiring Tinnitus Glenn Schweitzer says habituation can get you "to a place where your tinnitus stops bothering you entirely, where your brain just stops paying attention to it and it fades from your awareness." Once y

The majority of people with tinnitus have what's know as the "somatic" form. That's when the noises you hear are generated or otherwise affected when you move your head or neck. In a Scientific American article, science journalist Anton Benz refers to a recent clinical trial, in which audiologist Susan Shore of the University of Michigan and colleagues used a new procedure to significantly alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus. Benz says the researchers developed a “bisensory” treatment.  It consists of an "in-ear headphone and two externally attached electrodes that delivered a combination of acoustic and electric stimuli to reduce activity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN)." The way is works is that "precisely timed sounds alternated with weak electrical pulses that activate touch-sensitive nerves, aimed at steering damaged nerve cells back to normal activity," according to the University of Michigan's Fast Forward Medical Innovation page.

According to Arthritis.org, people with arthritis can experience hearing loss and tinnitus for two reasons: due to the arthritis itself and due to the high levels of aspirin and other medications they take. In addition to reducing blood flow to the inner ear, acetaminophen may reduce a protein that protects the inner ear from damage. Sometimes, lowering the amount or frequency of your arthritis medications, or even changing to another medication entirely, can reverse hearing loss. Other "medications known to cause tinnitus include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, water pills (diuretics), antimalarial drugs and antidepressants," according to Mayo Clinic. It's not just the meds, though. Older people who've had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for years may experience tinnitus too, say rheumatologist Judith Frank . That's because the inflammation associated with RA can damage the tiny joints in the ear (in addition to the

Ignoring your tinnitus is very different than becoming accustomed to it and ignoring the sounds you hear.  That's because tinnitus isn't always caused by exposure to very loud noise. It can also be the result of an ear or head injury, a circulatory disorder or simply by how old you are.  However, until you get a diagnosis, you won't know if it's something as simple as a build up of earwax, which is easily remedied. The one time you can probably ignore the sounds in your head are if they occur right after a really loud concert or sporting event. If the tinnitus is indeed temporary, it'll go away by itself in a few days and you don't have to worry about it. Still, you can use the scare as a warning from your body to use some earplugs next time. If you totally ignore the condition, though, you could have an injury or even tumor that only your doctor can diagnose. There are other reasons to get the reasons behind your tinnitus diagnosed: According to HearingInfo.net

Maybe it's Taylor Swift, or maybe it's just that Gen Zs are growing up more educated than the rest of us, but ear plugs are all over TikTok as fashionable (healthy) accessories.  The hashtag leading the pack is simply #earplugs with more than 292 million views, but the lonely #earplug has 51 million and even the polite #earplugsplease has 43 thousand views. More concert-goers than ever seem to be using hearing protection, and that's a smart move: The only preventable hearing loss is that due to noise. And a major side effect to very loud noise exposure is tinnitus. Other than reducing noise exposure, there's no way to control other factors that cause hearing loss (aging, genetics, infection or illnesses). Once you've damaged the hair cells in your inner ears, that's it. Cheap foam earplugs are just as effective as expensive ones, but those designed for music filter out bass and high frequency better. In other words, the sound quality you'll hear wearing che

People who have high-intensity tinnitus probably scoff at those who wonder if they even have the condition. But because tinnitus varies in intensity and sound type, wondering if you even have tinnitus is a valid question. If the sounds in your head (that no one else hears) are faint and come and go, you may have a form of intermittent tinnitus. As long as the noises aren't noticeable and don't bother you, it's certainly livable and shouldn't interfere with your daily life. You can have bouts of tinnitus which go away quickly. These episodic events are typically caused by loud noises (concerts, for example) and even mundane things like sneezing too hard. You'll hear ringing in your ears for a while, and then everything's back to normal. It's when the sounds are high-frequency or high-volume plus unrelenting that you'll know without question that you have tinnitus. The tinnitus itself is not a cause for alarm -- after all, it can go away by itself. It'

The most recent findings is that napping may actually increase tinnitus volume -- but only in a minority of people tested. According to TinnitusUK , "many people with tinnitus do in fact sleep well and see sleep as a refreshing escape from tinnitus. Those people who sleep well do not seem to have ‘different tinnitus’ from those who have trouble sleeping." However, in an article in the Sleep journal, researchers say that overall, naps increase tinnitus loudness. In fact, the first nap of the day had more tinnitus modulations than the second or third naps of the day. There's a connection between tinnitus and sleep: tinnitus is a phantom perception (the sounds we hear don't exist outside our heads). The thing that's weird here is that "most people only experience phantom perceptions when they’re asleep," according to an article in The Conversation. "Sometimes, certain brain areas can be overactive during slow-wave sleep. This is what happens in sleep