Tinnitus is, by definition, a hearing disorder that affects many people around the world. Those who are subject to this phenomenon have the perception of sounds or noises that, do not come from an external source. Those affected may experience a slight ringing sound as well as a loud buzzing or whistling sound, which may be either continuous or intermittent. This condition, therefore, manifests itself in different ways and with different characteristics, depending on the person concerned.
Furthermore, it is interesting to note how the volume of tinnitus, analyzed with particular laboratory instruments, is not symptomatic of its severity. Each individual, in fact, shows a subjective tolerance to the noise caused by tinnitus, which can occur at any age, even if few cases are recorded among children. In reality, the little ones may suffer from hearing problems from birth and, therefore, are unable to notice tinnitus precisely because they are used to this constant buzzing and, therefore, do not report it to adults.
In this article, we will analyze, in detail, everything related to tinnitus, including how it manifests itself, what the causes are, the symptoms, and effective remedies to counteract the unwanted effects.
What are the causes of tinnitus?
As we mentioned previously, tinnitus can occur in any individual, even if the most affected subjects are the elderly, especially if they are exposed to excessively loud noises. In fact, there are some situations that contribute to the appearance of tinnitus, such as concerts, festivals, and sporting events. All activities that involve very loud noises and could cause hearing damage.
As regards the causes of this phenomenon, however, very specific conditions must be included, such as:
- hearing loss in older people
- the presence of very loud noises
- ocular surgeries
- any ear infections or sinusitis
- cardiac or vascular pathologies that contribute to hearing damage
- thyroid problems, hormonal changes in menopausal or pregnant women
- alignment defects between the mandible and maxilla
taking certain medications.
In relation to what has been said, it is, however, difficult to establish the exact cause of tinnitus, although this phenomenon is most likely related to the way in which certain sounds are perceived and how these are interpreted by the brain.
Finally, the causes of tinnitus also include less incisive phenomena, which could still lead to its appearance. Among these is the accumulation of wax in the ear, which can sometimes be so high as to cause hearing damage. To solve the problem, you will need to contact your doctor or ENT specialists, who will carry out a manual extraction. Remember that using a common cotton swab could only aggravate the situation.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
The symptoms of tinnitus vary from person to person: some may perceive a light, intermittent sound that does not particularly affect daily life. Others, however, may suffer from intense and persistent tinnitus, causing sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, strong irritability, and states of anxiety. Furthermore, whistling or buzzing can involve only one ear or both; location varies depending on the underlying cause.
It should also be specified that noise sensitivity is not only subjective, as previously mentioned, but can also change over the years. Therefore, some sounds that previously did not cause disturbance can suddenly cause significant discomfort.
Tinnitus in itself does not represent a health risk, as its appearance causes discomfort but not particular pain. Despite this, it can be very annoying if accentuated, as it can affect the carrying out of daily activities, disturb sleep, and undermine concentration. In the next paragraph, we will focus our attention on remedies to combat tinnitus.
Tinnitus remedies: how to calm ringing or ringing in the ear
In medicine, there are no definitive cures for tinnitus, but various remedies and treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms, aiming to improve the quality of life for people subject to this condition.
One of the most effective therapies is sound therapy. It involves the use of relaxing sounds, such as soft music or white noise, to mask tinnitus and reduce perception. This treatment can help divert attention from the annoying sound you hear, reducing the impact it has on mood and concentration.
There are also relaxation techniques that aim to better manage the stress caused by tinnitus. By practicing deep breathing through meditation or yoga, you can reduce states of anxiety and deal with this condition with more clarity.
An adequate lifestyle also helps to reduce the impact of tinnitus on everyday life. Therefore, it is advisable to limit exposure to loud noises as much as possible, avoid prolonged use of earphones, reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption, eat healthily, and practice constant physical exercise.
In this regard, in the food sector, many studies have confirmed how the intake of certain substances can effectively contribute to reducing the symptoms of tinnitus. Ginkgo biloba, vitamin B12, magnesium, and alpha-lipoic acid are among the most suitable substances contained in food supplements, which provide additional support.
Conclusion
It should be specified that each of these remedies must necessarily be agreed upon with a specialist doctor or hearing professional, with whom we will evaluate the most suitable approach for each specific case.
