“What’s that annoying sound in my ears?” “How can I make that noise go away?”
If you find yourself saying things like this, you could be dealing with tinnitus, a common hearing issue where you hear noises or perceive a sound that others can’t hear. You’re not by yourself. Millions of individuals have this condition.
Most describe it as ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like a pulsing noise, a dial tone, buzzing, or whistling.
Depending on the severity, ringing in the ears might seem harmless. But tinnitus shouldn’t always be ignored. Tinnitus symptoms can frequently be a sign of something more significant going on in your body.
You should take the following 6 symptoms seriously.
1. The Ringing in Your Ears is Affecting The Quality of Your Life
Some research suggests that 26% of tinnitus sufferers experience that ringing on an almost continuous basis.
Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and relationship problems are all possible outcomes of this ever present ringing.
Something as easy as listening to your daughter share a recipe on the phone becomes a battle between her voice and the noise that overpowers it. You may snap at your grandchild, who simply asks a question, because the ringing stresses you out.
Constant ringing can become a vicious cycle. The ringing gets louder as your stress level goes up. And you get more anxious the louder the noise is and on and on.
If tinnitus is causing these kinds of life challenges, it’s time to deal with it. It’s real, and it impacts your quality of life. The noise can be reduced or eliminated with obtainable treatment options.
2. The Noise in Your Ears Manifests After You Switch Medications
Whether you have chronic back pain or cancer, doctors might try several different medications to manage the same ailment. You may ask for an alternative if you start to experience severe side effects. Consult with your doctor and find out what the side effects are if you started experiencing tinnitus symptoms after starting a new medication.
Some common medications may cause tinnitus. Here are a few examples:
- Chemo
- Over-the-counter painkillers (Tylenol, Aleve, Advil, and even aspirin) when taken several times a day for an extended period of time.
- Antibiotics
- Loop Diuretics
- Opioids (Pain Killers)
3. Blurred Vision, Seizures, And Headache Come With Tinnitus Noises
This might be a sign that high blood pressure is contributing to your tinnitus. The blood circulation in your inner ear is restricted when you have hypertension. High blood pressure that goes unmanaged is also dangerous for your total health. Over time, it may cause or worsen age-related hearing loss.
4. You Always Seem to be Leaving Work, The Gym, or a Concert When You Hear it
If you only hear the tinnitus when you leave a noisy place such as a concert, aerobics class, factory, or bar, then the place you were just in had noise levels above safe levels. It becomes increasingly likely that these noises will become permanent the more often you disregard them and neglect using ear protection. And hearing loss will probably accompany it.
If you are going to be exposed to loud noise, use the following to protect your hearing:
- Not standing too close to the speakers
- Giving your ears a regular break by stepping into the restroom or outside, if possible, at least once an hour
- Using earplugs
Adhere to the rules pertaining to earplugs and earmuffs if you work in a loud environment. Your safety gear will only successfully protect you if you use it correctly.
5. You Also Have Facial Paralysis
Whether you have ringing in your ears or not, you should never dismiss facial paralysis. But when you have nausea, paralysis, headaches, and you also have tinnitus, it’s possible that you may have an acoustic neuroma (a slow growing benign brain tumor).
6. Fluctuating Hearing Loss is Accompanying Tinnitus
Are you experiencing hearing loss that comes and goes? Do you feel dizzy off and on? When accompanied by tinnitus, this indicates you need to be evaluated for Meniere’s disease. This leads to a fluid imbalance in your ears. Your risk of falling due to lack of balance will worsen if this condition is left untreated.
Hearing loss is frequently signaled by tinnitus. So you should get your hearing tested if you’re experiencing it. Contact us to make an appointment.