That ringing in the ears (called tinnitus) that appears after listening to loud music is often caused by damage to the microscopic nerve endings of the inner ear. Tinnitus can be a symptom of damage to the nervous system or a problem with the circulatory system. Obviously it is better to prevent the onset of tinnitus rather than trying to cure it, however there are methods to treat this disorder even when the damage is done. Read on for more information.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating Passenger Tinnitus
Step 1. Try the skull tap trick
When the ears don't stop buzzing after a concert, it means that the hairs in the cochlea have been damaged, causing inflammation and over-stimulation of the nerves. The brain interprets this inflammation as a constant whistling or buzzing sound, but this trick can be helpful in making that annoying sound go away.
- Cover your ears with your palms, fingers pointing back and resting on the back of the skull. The middle fingers must touch exactly at the nape of the neck.
- Place your index fingers on the middle ones.
- With a decisive movement, the index fingers must hit the middle fingers and consequently the nape of the neck. This movement will feel like a drum beat. Since the fingers also hit the head, the noise will be quite loud, but this is completely normal.
- Keep snapping your fingers on the nape of the neck, at least 40 or 50 times, after which the buzzing should stop.
Step 2. Try to wait for it to pass
The hum is often caused by exposure to high volumes, but generally disappears after a few hours. Try distracting yourself by resting and avoiding anything that can make your symptoms worse. If the buzzing has not stopped after 24 hours, see a doctor for examination.
Step 3. Avoid loud noises and protect your ears when exposed to noise
Frequent exposure to loud noises can lead to recurring episodes of tinnitus. If this happens to you often, be sure to wear hearing protection.
Purchase foam earplugs that fit your ears or protectors that cover your entire ears
Method 2 of 3: Treating Chronic Tinnitus
Step 1. See your doctor to treat the triggering cause of the tinnitus
In most cases, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is caused by a treatable disorder. By eliminating the cause, the humming is likely to disappear completely or partially.
- Ask your doctor to remove the earwax plugs from your ears. If you prefer, you can do it at home. By removing the accumulation of earwax, the symptoms may be alleviated.
- Ask for a cardiovascular checkup, as vascular disease can make tinnitus worse.
- Have your doctor check the interactions between any medications you take. If you are taking different types of medicines, talk to your doctor about the possible side effects that could cause ringing in your ears.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you are having. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (Costen's syndrome) can be associated with tinnitus.
- A throbbing or spasm of the eardrum tensor or stapedius muscle in the inner ear can also cause tinnitus.
Step 2. Learn about biofeedback techniques for your tinnitus
If you are depressed, stressed or fatigued you may be more sensitive to the normal sounds you hear in your head. Learn about biofeedback from a counselor, who can help you tune in to the feelings and situations that are causing or worsening your tinnitus. This can help you stop the tinnitus when it starts and keep it from returning.
- Research has shown that biofeedback therapy can be very helpful in treating tinnitus.
- Ask your doctor to recommend a therapist who specializes in treating tinnitus with biofeedback.
Step 3. Treat tinnitus with sound therapy
There are several methods and techniques to mask the hum with dedicated devices:
- Use a device that emits white noise, which is a background sound, such as the ticking of rain or the hissing of the wind, which can help muffle the ringing in your ears. Fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners also produce white noise.
- Use maskers. They lean on the ears and produce white noise to mask chronic ringing.
- Wear a hearing aid. This method is especially effective if you have a hearing problem in addition to tinnitus.
Step 4. Take medication to reduce tinnitus symptoms
Although medications cannot completely eliminate the buzz, they can be helpful in making it less noticeable.
- Talk to your doctor about taking tricyclic antidepressants. They are effective for severe tinnitus, but cause unwanted side effects, such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and heart problems.
- Ask your doctor to take Alprazolam. Also known as Xanax, Alprazolam has been shown to be effective against tinnitus, however it causes addiction and unwanted side effects.
Step 5. Try ginkgo extract
Take it three times a day, along with meals, to improve the blood supply to the head and neck, reducing the buzz caused by blood pressure. Try it for two months before evaluating the effectiveness of this therapy.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for how much to take.
- Ask your doctor to make sure it is okay for you to take ginkgo extract.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Tinnitus
Step 1. Avoid situations where the cochlea could be damaged, causing tinnitus
Since tinnitus is very difficult to treat, it is best to avoid it altogether, or to avoid worsening the symptoms. The following factors could exacerbate the problem:
- High volumes. Concerts are the main cause of tinnitus, but don't forget the loud noise caused by road works, traffic, planes, firearms, fireworks, and so on.
- Swimming. Water and chlorine can get stuck in the inner ear, causing or intensifying tinnitus. You can avoid this by wearing ear plugs while swimming.
Step 2. Find a way to relieve stress
If you experience constant ringing in your ears, stress can make it worse. Try to relieve stress by exercising, meditating, or trying massages.
Step 3. Reduce your consumption of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine
These substances stress the blood vessels more by dilating them. It mostly happens in the inner ear. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, and tobacco to reduce symptoms of tinnitus.
Step 4. Avoid salt
Salt weakens circulation and increases blood pressure making tinnitus worse.
