You likely know the old wives’ tale: a ringing in your ears means someone’s talking about you. While it’s a fun reason to explain away an occasional ringing sound in your head, this condition—known technically as tinnitus—is no joke for people who deal with it chronically.
Tinnitus is defined as a reaction caused by the brain to damage in the ear or in the auditory system itself. The sound can come and go or be continuous, depending on the type of circumstances you’re dealing with. Many also may not notice it until they’re in a quiet location, such as settling down for sleep.
Wichita Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five causes behind tinnitus and how you can get relief if you need it.
- Loud Music
You may have experienced this after getting home from a concert or an air show. Noise-induced hearing loss can also happen if your music in your headphones is too loud. It generally doesn’t last more than 72 hours, but each event can damage your hearing in the long run, so consider wearing ear plugs next time you attend a loud event or if you work with loud equipment.
- Excess Wax
Ear wax is produced to protect our ear canals from foreign substances, but too much can have an adverse effect. A buildup of wax can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. It usually clears up once the wax is removed, but you may need to see a medical professional if it’s too clogged.
- Infection
Your hearing can easily be affected by an ear or sinus infection, so if you’re fighting a cold or allergies, take care to keep these routes as clear as possible. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and steroids like prednisone can alleviate the tinnitus.
- Medication Side Effect
Medication ranging from certain antibiotics to over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin have been known to bring on tinnitus as a side effect. You’ll want to tell your doctor if any new medication regimen has brought with it a ringing in your ears.
- Head Injury
A concussion can affect your inner ear, causing hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus. But even bumping your head on something that might not be severe enough to cause a concussion can cause some blood to pool behind the ear drum, causing tinnitus or hearing loss for a period of up to six weeks.
To learn more about Wichita Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://wichita-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.