HOW TO STOP RINGING IN THE EARS

• By Applied HHN
• September 21, 2022

Ringing in the ears also described as tinnitus is a sound in the head or in the ears that has no external source. The sound being mostly is a ringing sound in many people while for other people, it is humming, whistling, hissing or buzzing sound. These sounds can be produced from one of the ears or both. The sounds can also seem to come from a distance or inside the head. They could also come steadily or pulsating, sometimes intermittently or constantly.

People experience ringing in the ears for various reasons which include; exposure of the ear to extremely loud noises, hearing loss, ear infection and sometimes emotional stress. Ringing in the ears is a very frustrating condition to live with, so we will talk about ways and effective methods to stop ringing in the ears. Even though there is no cure for it yet, there are effective and efficient methods and ways that one can try to lessen the internal sounds or get relief from the symptoms.

Examination and Treatment

After noticing ringing in the ears, it is very important that one sees a doctor or clinician first who will examine, check and evaluate your medical history, administer a physical examination and then conducts a series of tests so as to try in finding the source of the problem. The clinician will ask you to give a description of the sounds you are hearing, this includes the quality of the sound and the pitch. You will also be asked if the sounds you hear are periodic or constant, pulsating or steady. The place from which the sounds come and also the times in which you hear the sounds will be asked from you.

The evaluation carried out allows your clinician to check and analyze your medical history, medications you are currently placed on (which can cause or worsen ringing in the ears), and also your past and current exposure to noise.

Sound Therapy

This is also an effective way of relieving the symptoms of ringing in the ear (tinnitus). This therapy involves the use of different sounds as an aid for relaxation or as a distraction. The use of different sounds helps to relieve or lessen ringing in the ears because people who suffer from ringing in their ears or heads complain the condition is worse in quiet areas.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This is also another effective method to manage or stop ringing in the ears. This therapy makes use of cognitive restructuring and relations techniques to alter or change the thinking of people who suffer from ringing in the ear (tinnitus) and also the way they respond to the noise. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is usually for a short term. For instance, the therapy can be weekly for about three to six months. This therapy also helps people who suffer ringing in their ears to have an improved quality of life and find the sound or noise, less bothersome.

Relaxation

Meditation or breathing exercises are relaxation techniques that can provide some relief. These relaxation techniques when carried out for a few minutes daily can help reduce the stress and anxiety that is often associated with ringing in the ears.

It is important to note that continuous, high-pitched and steady ringing in the ear mostly means there is a problem in the auditory system which will require an audiologist to carry out a hearing test. Medical evaluation or examination is needed for pulsatile tinnitus, particularly if the noise or sound is constant and continual or persistent. Blood vessel abnormality or tumor may also be needed to be checked using CT imaging or MRI.

The impact and severity of ringing in the ear can be affected by your general health lifestyle, therefore, it is very important to take into consideration your stress level, diet, sleep, and physical activity and take appropriate steps to improve them. The treatment of pain, insomnia, depression and anxiety with drugs or psychotherapy may also be able to reduce the impact of ringing in the ear.

It is important you do not expose your ears to extremely loud noise or sounds, and if you are generally exposed to extremely loud sounds or noise at home or at work, it is imperative you lower the risk of hearing loss by making use of ear protectors such as earplugs.