Ringing in your ears? Tips for healthy ears

It’s the sound(s) that no one else can hear…

It could be a faint hum, or a loud-enough constant ring that frequently catches you off-guard. Many people experience ringing in their ears – a condition known as tinnitus. The good news is that it’s seldom serious, but it can be quite irksome.

Where does the ringing come from?

Let’s first understand that tinnitus, in many cases, is harmless. Still, that doesn’t mean we should ignore the ringing, buzzing, or humming sounds.

On its own, tinnitus is not a disease. More like a symptom. Consider it your body’s way of signalling that something could be wrong. It’s especially glaring as many of us tend to ignore our ear health, while focusing more on the usual physical health symptoms.

It’s also far more common than we realise, with everyone from children to teenagers and adults at risk. Tinnitus can range from the occasional bout of ringing, where it’s quite mild and unobtrusive, to loud, bothersome, and frustrating enough that it interferes with your sleep and concentration.

There are several possible causes of tinnitus. The most common include:

• Listening to music at high volumes, working near engines, machinery, or in loud environments. This frequent exposure to noise can damage the tiny hair cells inside your inner ear.
• Ageing is a common cause. As we get older, natural hearing loss can trigger tinnitus.
• Excessive earwax could also lead to tinnitus. A build-up of wax can block the ear canal and cause pressure or ringing.
• Middle ear infections, head injuries, or even sudden changes in air pressure may affect hearing and cause tinnitus.
• People with high blood pressure, diabetes, anaemia, or thyroid disorders may find themselves experiencing tinnitus.
• If you’re on certain medications, such as aspirin, malaria drugs, or some antibiotics, you may experience tinnitus as a side-effect.
• Ear ringing and buzzing noises can feel worse when you’re under mental strain. This happens as stress can intensify ear ringing as it affects how your brain processes sound.

Protecting your hearing

Even if you’re not encountering tinnitus, it’s always a good idea to take preventative steps now to protect your ear health.

Many office employees tend to plug in their earphones and zone out to music while they work. Unfortunately, this long-term exposure to sounds could lead to hearing issues or tinnitus. Similarly, if your job involves working in noisy places, do your best to protect your ears. If possible, use earplugs or noise-reducing headphones. Take regular breaks from noisy environments and avoid standing near speakers or engines. Also, follow the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

This is important – do not insert objects into your ears! This includes cotton buds, keys, hairpins… many people “clean” their ears using odd objects, but this can damage the eardrum and push the wax further inside. Your ears are sensitive and unless there’s a blockage, there’s no need to insert anything into your ears. If your ears are blocked, please go to a doctor rather than trying home remedies that may cause more harm.

Did you know that sleep and stress management can help with tinnitus? When you’re stressed, tinnitus can feel louder and more challenging to cope with. Find ways to relax, like deep breathing, stretching, or taking daily walks to help calm your mind and your ears. Getting enough sleep is also important, as fatigue often worsens tinnitus symptoms.

Some people find relief from tinnitus by playing gentle background noise, like a fan or soft instrumental music at bedtime. These gentle sounds can help distract your brain from the ringing.

Good to know

Don’t brush off that ringing noise in your ears. Tinnitus could be the start of an infection, hearing loss, or another health problem. Also, be aware of symptoms like ear pain, dizziness, and muffled hearing. And it’s not just older people who should get their hearing checked; hearing loss can affect anyone.

Protecting your hearing starts with simple habits: lower the volume, avoid prolonged noise exposure, manage stress, eat well, and get medical advice if the symptoms persist. Your ears are always working for you; don’t ignore what they’re trying to tell you!

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.