Ringing in the Ear

We usually experience ringing in the ear during or after traveling in an airplane or after watching a rock concert. We do not take heed of it because it eventually goes away after some time. However, after repeatedly exposing our ears to very loud noises like in rock concerts, our cochleas may get damaged, and the ringing noise that we experience becomes permanent.

Ear ringing is the layman's term for tinnitus, and it is defined as the perception of sound in the ear/s or head where no external source is present. It is known to affect around 66 million individuals in the United States in way one or another. Although it usually comes as a ringing noise, it may also come as either a humming, buzzing, hissing, whistling, clicking, or roaring noise.

Majority of the cases of ringing in the ear is caused by cochlear damage due to repeated exposure to loud noises. This is not surprising, though, as our surroundings in general are getting noisier by the day. Add to that the advent of MP3 players. On the other hand, this becomes alarming because it may mean that the age bracket of most of the sufferers of tinitus belongs to the younger generation.

Other known causes of the unwanted sound include stress, sinusitis or allergies, Meniere's Disease, age-associated hearing loss, TMJ, head injuries, muscle tension, thyroid disorder, and circulatory disorders like atherosclerosis, malformation of the capillaries, and high blood pressure. Because the presence of the unwanted sound is a warning that you are suffering from a certain medical condition, consult with your physician about it. He or she can run some tests to determine the source of the unwanted sound.

Your doctor will mostly likely tell you that there is no cure for tinnitus and that you would just have to learn to deal and live with it. However, it does not mean that it is a grave condition although it can have serious effects and implications. And, it is a only a symptom and not a medical condition in itself.

There are various remedies for ringing in the ear. These include white noise maskers, antidepressants, and alternative treatments like acupressure, acupuncture, meditation, herbal preparations and homeopathic remedies.

Natural treatments should be taken into consideration, though. These include having a diet that is rich in protein, zinc, choline, and the vitamins A, B, and E. Salty foods, chocolates, soda, coffee, alcohol, and nicotine trigger the unwanted sound, hence, they must be avoided. Most of all, maintain a positive attitude as much as you can and do not get stressed very easily.