Ringing in the Ears? You Are Not Alone!

Tinnitus, which is the medical term for the perception or sensation of sound “in the ears” when no actual external noise is present, affects more people than the populations of California and Oregon combined!1 In fact, tinnitus is one of the most common health conditions in the United States.3 More than 45 million Americans (1 in 5 people)1,2 suffer from noises in the ears that no one else can hear but that are not imaginary or inconsequential. Two million Americans say that their tinnitus symptoms are so severe that they are unable to function in their daily lives.1 Additionally, of those people reporting tinnitus:
  • 20% report that the condition is disabling or nearly disabling
  • 25% describe their tinnitus as “loud”
  • 30% report that tinnitus is either a “moderate” or “very big” problem in their lives
  • 36% have near-constant symptoms
  • 48-60% report depression
  • 90% have some level of noise-induced hearing loss.3
But while there is no cure for tinnitus, there are ways you can help yourself and better manage your condition. Be positive. Recognize that tinnitus is not usually a sign of an ongoing medical condition and that for many people it can be temporary. For many others, the disruption of tinnitus lessens over time and management strategies like the ones listed here can really help. Be proactive. See a specialist, either an audiologist or an ear nose and throat physician (ENT), to make sure what you are experiencing is, in fact, tinnitus and not another condition. Talk to your doctor about all the medications you are taking. Some medications can cause tinnitus as a side effect, even if they haven’t in the past. Be mindful. Pay attention to the things that seem to trigger your tinnitus or make it worse. Nicotine is one common culprit. Keep a diary so that you can avoid or lessen triggers when possible. Be kind to yourself. Work towards decreasing your stress levels. Stress can aggravate tinnitus. Be an observant nutritionist. Some food or drink ingredients may exasperate tinnitus including salt, artificial sweeteners, sugars, and alcohol. Use your diary to keep track of foods or drinks that seem to affect your tinnitus. Be an ear-protector. Avoid loud noises, which can damage your ears and make your tinnitus worse. If you are exposed to loud noises at work, invest in a pair of earplugs or noise canceling headphones. Avoid, if possible, loud crowded spaces and concerts. Be patient. Some things take time, like Lipo-Flavonoid® Plus (a nutritional supplement to support ear health and help relieve tinnitus symptoms.) Lipo-Flavonoid® is the #1 recommendation of doctors for relief of ringing in the ears4 but it can take up to 60 days of consistent use (as directed) to work. If it doesn’t, you can get your money back. Sometimes tinnitus can feel really isolating, but as you’ve hopefully learned, sufferers have a lot of company and there are strategies to help relieve symptoms. Please share your experiences with friends, family, and others to raise awareness about the serious ramifications of this condition, the importance of prevention, and the need for further research. Learn more at Lipoflavonoid.com and the American Tinnitus Association. References:
  1. Understanding the Facts. American Tinnitus Association website https://www.ata.org/understanding-facts. Accessed Sept. 5, 2016.
  2. Tinnitus Overview. Mayo Clinic website http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/home/ovc-20180349. Accessed Sept. 5, 2016
  3. Demographics. American Tinnitus Association website https://www.ata.org/understanding-facts/demographics. Accessed Sept. 5, 2016.
  4. April 2016 Survey. Clarion Brands Inc. data on file.
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