Ringing in the ears or tinnitus is a condition that affects one in five people at some point in their lives. Such ailments very often occur in older people, but nowadays we see a rising trend in young people who suffer hearing damage from too loud music at parties and festivals, which can last temporarily or permanently. Tinnitus is not medically dangerous, but it can cause serious discomfort and in exceptional cases it can be a symptom of an underlying condition.
Causes
To better understand the cause of tinnitus, it is important to know how the human ear is constructed. Our ear consists of three parts including:
- The auricle or ear canal that opens to the eardrum.
- The middle ear consists of the three ossicles that transmit sound to the inner ear.
- The inner ear contains small cilia that transmit sound vibrations via the auditory nerve to the brain where the sound that we actually perceive is formed.
When these cilia in the inner ear bend, break, or undergo other damage due to repeated exposure to excessive decibels without hearing protection, it will appear as if a permanent signal is being sent to the brain. That is why tinnitus is just a perception of sound that others will not or cannot hear.
Sometimes physical damage or injury can also be the cause of tinnitus or it can be a symptom of an underlying condition such as a blood pressure problem or tumor.
Causes of tinnitus
- exposure to excessively high decibels
- injury to the ear or head
- hearing loss in old age
- ear infection
- ear diseases
- smoking and alcohol
- sinusitis or allergy
- side effects of certain medications
- accumulation of earwax
- tumors
- high bloodpressure
- anemia
- stress, anxiety, depression
- atherosclerosis (narrowing of the blood vessels)
- increased pressure in the fluid around the brain
- increased blood flow through the carotid artery
- otosclerosis
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- Meniere’s disease
- Lyme disease
- thyroid disorders
Therapy
Depending on the cause of the tinnitus, it can last for several weeks or even years. In the worst case it can even be permanent. If the tinnitus is caused by an ear infection, it will disappear completely after a month. On the other hand, if the tinnitus is caused by an underlying problem such as stress or anxiety, this can only be resolved by addressing the actual cause. Since the cause is different for every person, a doctor will never prescribe a specific treatment for tinnitus. However, there are some natural remedies that are definitely worth trying. It is essential to discuss this with a doctor to avoid that a particular remedy would have a negative effect in combination with certain medications.
Natural remedies
Diet
Avoid foods rich in fat and salt. Such foods can lead to narrowing of arteries and an increase in blood pressure, which is also a major cause of tinnitus. Refined sugars, pure products, caffeine, red wine, chocolate, honey and overripe bananas also belong to the risk group. On the other hand, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables so that the body gets the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals it needs.
Exercise
As already mentioned, stress and anxiety are possible factors that may underlie the development of tinnitus. Sufficient exercise will help reduce stress levels and maintain good overall body health. In addition, blood pressure and cholesterol levels will also decrease when exercise is combined with a healthy diet.
Spices
One of the most effective remedies for tinnitus is gingko biloba. The fruits of this Japanese nut tree are said to improve blood circulation in the small blood vessels in the head and ear, which will relieve tinnitus. Other popular herbal remedies for tinnitus include periwinkle, niacin, black cohosh, and burdock root.
Dietary supplements
Since our daily diet often contains far too few essential vitamins and minerals, and therefore increases the risk of tinnitus, the use of nutritional supplements can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of tinnitus. For example, it has already been mentioned that a deficiency of vitamin B12 is a possible causal factor in the development of tinnitus, just like a deficiency of magnesium, zinc and melatonin.
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