Published: 11/13/2014 - Updated: 01/02/2018
Author: MSc. Miriam Reyes
Hearing “ringing” in your ears without any sort of external source of noise in known as Tinnitus. Ringing in the ears, to a certain extent, is normal. Everyone has heard, at some point in time, a slight whistling, buzzing, puff, rustling, or creaking, or sounds that could be confused with someone blowing in your ear, or with a running stream, air leaking out of a balloon or even musical notes.
These noises are usually pulsating or acute, and generally last for a few minutes and are fleeting. However, when they last longer and become constant, it starts to be a problem because they are usually stressful and interfere when you try to concentrate for work, sleeping, listening to someone else, etc. These noises are usually accentuated just before going to sleep or during silence.
Contents
Causes of noises in the ear:
- Accumulated wax in the ear due to cleaning with Q-tips or sharp tools like hooks, that push ear wax back over time.
- Ear infections.
- Ear damage from listening to strong and sudden noises, or from listening to music at high volumes with headphones, etc.
- Foreign bodies in the ear.
- Excessive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, aspirin and other drugs, as well as smoking any type of herb.
- High blood pressure, anemia or any allergy.
- Meniere’s disease, an internal ear disorder that involves hypoacusis and vertigo.
- It could be a sign of tumors or aneurysm, but only on rare occasions.
How to treat tinnitus naturally
- Try to relax, because excessive tension or just trying to resist listening to tinnitus could cause it to become worse, or to be an even bigger annoyance. All you need to do for this is to direct your attention to a soft and pleasant noise. Put on music that you like, always making sure that the volume is not too high. It should be low and soft, and focus your auditory attention on the music or on sounds you enjoy. Even though you might not believe it, just listening to things you like, that are pleasant and relaxing, will help your ears to heal.
- Avoid foods in your diet like refined sugar and flour, as well as foods that are processed, fried, packaged, cow’s milk, etc. All these products are terrible for the body and if there’s an infection, they only make it worse.
- Include foods like aloe (or aloe juice), carrots, and fresh vegetables (either juiced or in a salad), whole grains, and foods rich in omega oils. These foods nourish the nervous system and help nourish your ear.
- If you ear is blocked by wax, you’ll need to find a professional to help you remove it. Avoid sticking sticks or Q-tips in your ear; all you need to do to clean is to wipe a moist cloth around the entire area around the ear. The wax that accumulates in your ear practically comes out on it’s own, and is almost visible. You don’t need to remove it. If you stick Q-tips or hard instruments in your ear, you could push the wax further back and you could also hurt your delicate inner ear. This could cause more noises or prevent your ear from healing.
- If tinnitus bothers you at night, try to sleep with some type of relaxing or meditative music so you don’t think about the noises. Also, use a slightly higher pillow to prevent your ear or head from becoming congested.
- Avoid all irritants like alcohol, smoking, coffee, excessive tea, etc.
- Exercise to release tension and unnecessary tension. This will help send your blood and all its nutrients to the highest part of your head.
- Avoid noisy areas or loud music.
- One good auditory exercise for making noises disappear is to play music or sounds from nature, at a low volume in a peaceful and silent place, and try to listen to it for a long time.
Emotional cause
Noises in the ears is just another symptom of disease, and they are related to resistance to not wanting to listen to something or trying to avoid what someone is saying to us. These attitudes frequently cause tension, which accumulates in the ears, wearing down normal functions.
Take care of children and youth’s ears
Don’t let them listen to the TV or the radio at loud volumes. You also shouldn’t let them stick things in their ears. Explain to them how to clean their ears (see the detail above) and let them know how harmful it is to listen to loud music with headphones.
Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 01/02/2018
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