Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Frequent Causes Of Ringing In The Ears

By Elliott Berry

We have all experienced it at one point or another : a unpleasant, sometimes high-pitched ringing sensation deep within our ears, a. K. A tinnitus. While this is a particularly common short-term issue when exposed to high noise volumes, it can also be a chronic problem, which essentially could be caused by some surprising sources.

High Noise Volumes

The most blatant and therefore common cause of tinnitus is being exposed to high noise volumes. Have you ever been to a gig and experienced tinnitus for one or two hours afterward? Other examples in which high noise volumes may lead to tinnitus include working or being near loud heavy machinery, for example at construction sites, or listening to head phones for an extended period at a particularly high volume.

Increase in Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure can lead to many feelings of bodily discomfort, including tinnitus. Times of stress and inappropriate use of caffeine or alcohol could cause a rise in blood pressure, which may lead to tinnitus.

Sinus Infections and Allergies

Both seasonal allergies and sinus infections can quickly cause tinnitus. When an infection or moderate allergy is present, a thick layer of mucus frequently forms in the inner ear, which causes the sensation of head congestion, pressure, and ear aches.

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Also known as TMJ, this very common condition of the jaw joint is known to cause long-term tinnitus. The exact connection between TMJ and tinnitus is yet to be discovered by the medical community.

Foods

Certain foods high in salicylates ( the important component in aspirin and some OTC indigestion medications ) have been associated with tinnitus, for example wines, grain alcohols, cheeses, and chocolates.

Wax Build-up

Keeping your ears wax-free is not only the hygienic thing to do, but might also improve your hearing. Excess wax build-up is known to cause a many ear issues, including tinnitus.

Stress, Trauma, or Injury

periods of stress, dire experiences ( such as the death of a loved one ), and minor wounds can instantly cause many negative changes within your body, including the chemical production of your hypothalamus gland - which often leads to short-term tinnitus.

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