Is Tinnitus a Symptom of Other Problems?

Around one in three of us will experience Tinnitus in some form during our lifetime, although as yet there is no acknowledged tinnitus cure, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the effects.

If you do experience it, it may pass quickly away or it could be an indication of something more serious, the only way to answer that with surety is a visit with your doctor, ideally an ear specialist (Otolaryngolist).

Multiple factors may contribute to your experiencing tinnitus; aging is certainly a factor since the body will cease to perform at optimum efficiency and the auditory cells will experience a certain level of deterioration.

FACT: For those beginning to experience hearing loss, and as a side effect tinnitus, a hearing aid has proven effective with many patients.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

For those of use who work around loud noise, machinery, music, gunshots or a host of other high decibel sounds, hearing loss (over time) is inevitable.  Once the onset begins, tinnitus may be a side effect.  The effect can be temporary or long term, depending on the person and their level of exposure to noise.  If you have not as yet experienced this loss, be certain to wear ear protection when working in this environment.

High blood pressure, which can be caused by hereditary (the passing of certain traits to offspring), diet or physical conditioning is a leading cause of tinnitus.  If you have high blood pressure, it is recommended you schedule an appointment with your doctor or health care professional.  High blood pressure can lead to multiple medical conditions, tinnitus being only one.

Inner ear infections, which by their nature collect fluids and cause inflammation an often cause tinnitus, again a doctor’s visit is recommended.  In other cases, it could be a simple waxy build up, easily removed with proper care.

EAR WAX BUILDUP:  Heavy wax build-up can cause tinnitus, hearing loss and could lead to infection and sinuses problems.

While tinnitus in and of itself is simply annoying, often it is an indication of underlying problems with the ear and a doctor should be consulted.  Meniere’s disease (a disruption of the inner ear fluids) is known to cause tinnitus. The disease usually affects men and women between 20 and 50, causing vertigo, dizziness and a buzzing or ringing sound.

PRECAUTION: If you are on medication and experience tinnitus, notify your doctor as soon as possible.  Over 200 separate medications have been shown to produce tinnitus as a side effect.

No matter your age or physical condition, taking care of you, body, mind and soul, will ensure life at peak proficiency and can often eliminate tinnitus.  A nutritious diet, along with a sound exercise plan, limited stress and ample rest can help eliminate tinnitus, while also providing a happy and healthful lifestyle.

While no diagnosis or recommendation of tinnitus treatments can be made here, and a doctor’s visit is always prudent, the tinnitus you are experiencing could be a passing symptom (and we hope it is) or an indication of something more serious.  Most of us rarely appreciate our good health until it is gone, remember the words of Benjamin Franklin, “an ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure”.  Truer words were never spoken.