Here’s Why Tinnitus Can Happen to Almost Anyone

People from all over the country and all walks of life experience tinnitus or disturbing “ringing” in the ears. And while you are more at risk for tinnitus if you are older, a male, in the military, or a smoker, the condition also strikes many women, young people, and non-smokers, too.

There’s not yet a cure for tinnitus, but there are ways you can help prevent your tinnitus from getting worse and manage your symptoms so they are less disruptive. Understanding the common causes of tinnitus is a good place to start.

Causes of Tinnitus

Loud noises – Extreme volumes, especially with repeated exposure, can damage and weaken the cells in your ears and lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. Nearly one-third of all tinnitus cases can be traced back to noise damage.2 At work, at home, at leisure – the volume of life is sometimes cranked up way too high for the delicate structures in our ears. Those who work in factories, the military, construction, or the music industry are at particular risk. Crowded places, concerts, sporting events, recreational shooting, and listening to loud music with earbuds can also put ears in danger.1,3

Aging – Among the many effects of aging is gradual hearing loss, usually starting at about age 60. Hearing loss can cause tinnitus. Also, with age, the tiny bones in our ears can stiffen, affecting hearing and contributing to tinnitus. And over time, we accumulate more noise-related ear damage.1,3

Medications – Certain medications can initiate tinnitus or make it worse, even if they haven’t before. These include aspirin (in high doses), NSAIDs, antibiotics, cancer medicines, diuretics, and some antidepressants. NEVER stop taking any medications without consulting your doctor – the risks of stopping may far exceed any potential benefit.1,3

Earwax – Earwax helps clean, protect, and lubricate our ears. Most earwax removal happens naturally through jaw movement—no cotton swabs required! Sometimes, though, too much earwax can cause pain, tinnitus, or hearing loss. DO NOT attempt to fix this yourself. Excess earwax must be removed by a healthcare professional to avoid damage to the delicate structures in your ear.1,3

Medical conditions – Many medical issues can lead to tinnitus. These may include nasal congestion, sinus infection, barotrauma (scuba diving, altitude changes), traumatic brain injury, Meniere’s disease, TMJ problems, head or neck injuries, dental issues, certain cancers, and blood vessel disorders (narrowed arteries, high blood pressure, turbulent blood flow).1,3

Tinnitus Management Tips

If you suffer from tinnitus, talk to your doctor or a hearing professional about it and request a thorough health examination. Be sure your appointment includes a review of any medical conditions you may have and any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal products you take.

Follow your doctor’s advice, and then follow these steps to minimize further ear damage and improve your symptoms.

Avoid loud noises: Reducing your exposure to loud, ear-irritating sounds can help improve tinnitus. Keep earplugs, noise-reducing earphones, or other ear protection handy. Use them before noise begins, and leave noisy environments before removing protection. Position yourself far away from speakers and sound sources. Every 15–20 minutes, give your ears a quiet break to “escape.” Ongoing noise stress damages ear cells—but rest can make the difference between temporary and permanent issues. If you use earbuds or headphones, lower the volume and take regular silence breaks.3

Cover the ringing: Try using a fan, soft music, or other soothing “white noise” to help disguise tinnitus. This works best in a quiet room.

Track your triggers: Keep a journal of your tinnitus symptoms, severity, diet, sleep, stress, and daily habits. Look for patterns—caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, salt, sugar, artificial sweeteners, eggs, stress, sleep quality, or exercise may affect symptoms. If something worsens your tinnitus, try avoiding it and observe changes.

Try a nutritional supplement to support ear health: With consistent use as directed, the nutrients in Lipo-Flavonoid® Plus have been shown to improve tinnitus symptoms in some people.4–10
According to a survey of 250 ear, nose, and throat specialists, 100% recommend nutritional supplements for tinnitus and 85% recommend Lipo-Flavonoid® specifically.11

Take care of your health: Regular exercise, nutritious eating, good sleep, and stress reduction strategies support blood vessel health and overall well-being—both important for managing tinnitus symptoms.12

Get support: A licensed therapist or psychologist can help you build coping skills. Support groups offer shared experiences and practical tips.

Stay positive, stay informed, and stay aware of prevention and treatment options. Beyond the ringing, humming, buzzing, whirring, and whooshing of tinnitus, there is the sound of hope.
Learn more at LipoFlavonoid.com and ATA.org.

References
  1. Tinnitus. Mayo Clinic website http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/dxc-20180362 . Accessed Sept. 9, 2016.
  2. Reduce Your Risk. Hearing Health Foundation website http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/reduce_your_risk . Accessed Sept. 9, 2016.
  3. Understanding the Facts. American Tinnitus Association website http://www.ata.org/understanding-facts/causes . Accessed Sept. 9, 2016.
  4. Slattery W, Fayad J. Medical treatment of Meniere’s disease. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 1997;30:1027–37.
  5. Fetterman B, Saunders J, Luxford W. Prognosis and treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Am J Otol. 1996;17:529–36.
  6. Arenberg I, Bayer R. Therapeutic Options in Meniere’s Disease. Arch Otolaryngol. 1977;103:589–93.
  7. Shaia F, Sheehy J. Sudden sensori-neural hearing impairment: a report of 1,220 cases. Laryngoscope. 1976;86:389–98.
  8. Herschberg S. Meniere’s disease. J Am Osteopathic Association. 1974;73:540–6.
  9. Wolfson R. Treatment of Meniere’s disease. Modern Treatment. 1969;6(3):553–567.
  10. Williams HL, Hedgecock LD. Citrus Bioflavonoids, Ascorbic Acid, and Other B-vitamins in the Treatment of Certain Types of Neurosensory Deafness — preliminary report. Mayo Clinic, 1962.
  11. April 2016 Survey. Clarion Brands Inc. Data on file.
  12. Thoughts on Diet and Hearing Loss. American Academy of Audiology website http://www.audiology.org/news/thoughts-diet-and-hearing-loss . Accessed Sept. 7, 2016.
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