Tinnitus
Tinnitus
Noises Only You Can Hear
Imagine listening to chirps, roars, whirring, buzzes or rings--annoying noises that only you can hear--over and over and over again. That's the devilish lot of people with tinnitus.
"Tinnitus--internal head noises with no external source--may accompany hearing loss," says Carol Flexer, Ph.D., an audiologist and professor of audiology at the School of Communicative Disorders at the University of Akron in Ohio.
People who have been exposed to noise regularly for most of their lives--musicians, carpenters and pilots, for example--are among those most commonly affected by tinnitus, says Laura Orvidas, M.D., senior associate consultant and instructor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
"And more and more young adults are complaining of tinnitus,"
says Kathy Peck, executive director of H.E.A.R. (Hearing, Education and Awareness for Rockers) in San Francisco. She predicts that teenagers who attend rock concerts regularly will likely experience tinnitus and other noise-induced hearing problems at earlier ages.
When To See A Doctor "Tinnitus is like a headache," says Anita T. Pikus, chief of clinical audiology at the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. "Everyone experiences it, and there are many different causes--and many different treatments."
If you hear noises that others don't hear--like ringing, buzzing, roaring, whirring and so forth--make an appointment with an audiologist or an otolaryngologist. She will make a thorough evaluation and will, if necessary, refer you to the appropriate medical specialist.
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More than 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs (including aspirin, quinine and some antibiotics) can trigger tinnitus as a possible side effect, says Gloria Reich, Ph.D., executive director of the American Tinnitus Association in Portland, Oregon. Tinnitus can also be caused or aggravated by cardiovascular disease, stress, allergies, an underactive thyroid or degeneration of bones in the middle ear.
Diagnosis is simple, say doctors.
"If you think that you have tinnitus, you have tinnitus," says Dr. Reich.
FOCUS ON CAUSE FIRST
Tinnitus is rarely a sign of anything serious or life-threatening. Nevertheless, you should have it checked out to rule out medical causes from the outset. "See an otolaryngologist (a medical doctor specializing in ear and related problems)," says Dr. Reich.
"Focus first on the cause, then on the treatment," says Dr. Reich. Otherwise, self-help measures may be of no avail.
If tinnitus is confirmed, here's what you can do.
Mask the noise. "Keep a radio tuned to static (between radio channels) on or a fan going at bedtime," says Dr. Reich. "Tinnitus is more noticeable when your surroundings are quiet. So masking tinnitus with other noises can help quite a bit."
Plug in a white-noise machine. If a whirring fan or radio static doesn't work, Dr. Flexer suggests special devices that play white noise--nondescript sounds that resemble static. Another helpful distraction includes playing a machine, tape or CD that recreates the sound of waves or wind, says Dr. Flexer. "These tinnitus maskers may relieve people of their tinnitus totally," says Dr. Flexer. "The theory is that white noise trains the nerves to stop sending messages when there's no noise stimulus."
Cut down on the coffee. "Caffeine is a stimulant, and stimulants can aggravate tinnitus," says Dr. Orvidas.
Nix cigarettes, salt, sugar and alcohol. For some, tinnitus abates when they stop smoking or reduce their salt or sugar consumption, says Dr. Orvidas. Drinking alcohol can exacerbate tinnitus.
Wear earplugs and noise protectors when exposed to loud noises. No matter what your tinnitus is related to, it's wise to prevent future damage, says Dr. Reich. "You can still enjoy the fireworks on July fourth," she adds. "Just be prepared for the noise with earplugs."
Give ginkgo a try. "Though some of the scientific studies appear contradictory, some evidence suggests that ginkgo may be effective in reducing tinnitus," says Dr. Reich. Ginkgo is a tree whose fan-shaped leaves have been used by the Chinese for thousands of years to cure a variety of ailments. Researchers theorize that ginkgo may help increase blood flow to the brain, which could improve tinnitus caused by circulatory problems.
"Some people have used ginkgo for tinnitus with promising results," says Dr. Reich. "Since the side effects are rare and few, it's safe to try," she says. Experts recommend 120 milligrams daily of a concentrated, standardized ginkgo extract called GBE (ginkgo biloba extract), purchased from an established health food store. Note, however, that if ginkgo works, it may take weeks or months to notice improvement.