Like me, you might be one of the millions of Americans who have persistent Tinnitus. I have spent quite some time researching ways to deal with the constant ringing in my ears, and this article details much of what I have learned.
The unpleasant and often debilitating ailment of Tinnitus can manifest itself in a number of ways. The most common symptom is some sort of ringing in the ears (I hear “crickets” chirping 24/7). Other symptoms include whistling, whining, whooshing or swishing noises. Whatever the case may be for you, it is most likely rather irritating at best.
There are a number of possible causes of Tinnitus, some of which can be either eliminated or reduced. Some medications are known to cause it, and simply asking your doctor to try switching you to an alternative drug just might work if you are lucky. Aspirin is probably the most common culprit, and if you take it regularly chances are you have at least some minor ringing in the ears as a result. If so, you might wish to talk to your doctor about possible alternatives. Important: ALWAYS consult a physician before making any changes to your drug regimen!!!
One of the most common causes of Tinnitus is irreversible, and that is prolonged exposure to loud noise. Remember all of that loud music you listened to as a teenager? Chances are your ears are ringing these days because of it. Using a lawnmower, chain saw, or other loud piece of equipment without adequate hearing protection can also cause long-term Tinnitus, and a single super-loud blast of noise such as an explosion can as well (in my case it was a grenade simulator exploding right next to my ear during Army training).
There are no known cures for persistent Tinnitus, but there are things you can do to help minimize the effects of it. If the noises in your ears are so loud and/or distracting that you have trouble sleeping, try running a fan or tuning a radio between stations to create an external source of “white noise” that will “overpower” the internal noises in your ears just enough to provide some relief. Having wax buildup removed from your ears can help as well. And for some people avoiding caffeine and other stimulants seems to have a positive effect. You should probably also consider consulting with your doctor to see if there is anything that can be done from a medical standpoint.
If you don’t currently suffer from Tinnitus, there are a number of things you can do to help ensure that you never do. First of all, always use hearing protection while mowing your lawn or working with loud equipment (or in a generally noisy environment). And if you enjoy listening to loud music, consider turning the volume down a notch or two. The enjoyment you receive from it today just might come with a high price in the not-so-distant future.