Tinnitus is the subjective perception of sound in the absence of an objective external stimulus. The term "noise" means ringing, hum, buzzing, rustling, knocking, creaking, even sounds similar to the operation of devices. It can be heard in one or both ears, with no external noise sources. In medicine, this phenomenon is called "tinnitus" (tinnΔ«re).
What makes tinnitus
The appearance of extraneous sounds in the ears, causing discomfort and irritation, is felt by 20% of the world's population. About 30% of them are elderly people. The nature of the appearance of this phenomenon is not fully understood and often depends on a number of reasons. They are of a different nature. Often, after certain procedures, the noise disappears, but in most cases it is only possible to lower it, to make it subtle.
How to determine what helps with tinnitus? First of all, it is worth contacting an otolaryngologist who will help identify the cause. This must be done, because noise can be a symptom of a serious illness.
A strong sensation of tinnitus is noticeable at night, when a person goes to bed and there is silence. It is then that the noise becomes distinct and clear. This can be a strong irritant, as a result of which a person cannot fall asleep. In the daytime, when external sound effects are present, the noise in the shah is not noticeable to most people.
Tinnitus
When asking a question about how to get rid of tinnitus, a person should clearly realize that it is impossible to do this without establishing reasons. Tinnitus in most cases is not a disease, it is a symptom indicating the presence of a certain pathology, which is associated not only with it, but also with a number of problems.
The inner ear of a person includes auditory cells with small hairs. It is with their help that the conversion of external sound into nerve impulses transmitted to the brain occurs.
Under the influence of external sound, the movement of hairs occurs, it is this movement that allows the brain to identify sounds. But when the hairs begin to move randomly, this signal is perceived by the brain as noise. This can happen as a result of damage or irritation; medicine does not give an exact explanation of the reason for their action.
Tinnitus for hearing diseases
The reasons for which there is a ringing in the ears are many. Some can be easily eliminated at home, others caused by diseases disappear as a result of treatment. Often this can be due to hearing loss. In this case, the patient feels a constant loud noise. This can be explained by the fact that the perceived external sound background is reduced, and the noise in the ears becomes distinct.
If a person hears well, then during the day he practically does not feel noise in the ears, not because he is not there, but because he is drowned out by external sounds. How to get rid of tinnitus? First of all, we need a consultation with an otolaryngologist. Since self-medication is fraught with hearing loss. In a large number of cases, these can be:
- Damages and diseases of the inner or middle ear, as well as nerves, through which impulses are transmitted to the brain.
- The appearance of spasm of the posterior ear artery. This occurs as a result of high blood pressure, lack of oxygen, hemoglobin in the blood, anemia.
- Excessive fluid in the inner ear. This phenomenon is called Meniere's disease.
There are a lot of diseases of the organs of hearing . An otolaryngologist can establish an accurate diagnosis.
Tinnitus. Other causes
Tinnitus can appear due to external irritations, the elimination of which will help to quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms.
- Sulfur cork. Its appearance is a natural process, but if you do not periodically carry out hygiene procedures, then a temporary hearing loss as a result of its swelling when swimming is possible.
- The appearance of tinnitus can be from nervous strain and stress. As a result, an increased amount of adrenaline is released into the blood, which causes the appearance of ringing and pulsating noise in the ears. In this case, it is enough to relax, sleep enough - and everything will pass. If depression becomes protracted, you need to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist.
- Loud music or production noise. They can lead to temporary hearing loss.
- Atmospheric pressure can cause tinnitus.
- Lack of vitamins B3, E, potassium and magnesium trace elements.
- The use of certain medications, these include Gentamicin, Aspirin, Himidin and others.
These reasons, as a rule, can be removed at home without the help of a doctor.
Tinnitus caused by a disease
Having determined why tinnitus has arisen (the causes and treatment of the disease that caused them also need to be studied), you can be sure that this symptom will no longer annoy. The most common diseases, a sign of which is tinnitus, include:
- The formation of cholesterol plaques in the vessels of the brain can cause irregular eddies of the blood flow, in which there is a characteristic tinnitus. It is dangerous by the appearance of strokes and bleeding in the brain.
- Blood iodine deficiency caused by thyroid disease. It is an insufficient amount of iodine that causes tinnitus.
- Kidney disease. In particular, the adrenal glands, which are responsible for the production of adrenaline, norepinephrine. These hormones affect blood pressure, the functioning of the heart muscle, and the presence of glucose in the blood.
- Diabetes. With this disease, there is a decrease in insulin in the blood, with the help of which the amount of sugar in the blood decreases. With this disease, there is noise in the ears and head.
- Diseases of the cervical and head vessels. For example, with osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, arteries in this area can be squeezed, which leads to a deficiency in the blood supply to the brain, causing tinnitus.
What causes tinnitus in older people
One third of people subject to tinnitus are elderly people. Due to age-related changes in blood vessels, hearing organs, the appearance of chronic diseases, noise in the ears and head occurs in people of advanced age. Often it is only possible to alleviate the condition, reduce noise, including tinnitus. Their causes and treatment are sometimes associated with a number of diseases, a decrease in the protective properties of the body, and vascular patency.
Otosclerosis can be the cause of senile hearing loss and the appearance of noise. Bone tissue in the middle ear increases, which leads to an initial decrease in the perception of low-frequency sound, then it switches to all sounds, which leads to a partial, and in a neglected state, to complete hearing loss.
Destruction of the auditory nerve is a natural process of aging. With a constant characteristic sign of noise, hearing loss occurs first in one and then in both ears.
Cardiovascular diseases make the supply of organs with oxygen, the removal of toxins insufficient.
How to get rid of tinnitus on your own
There is no definite advice on how to get rid of tinnitus. Everything will depend on the cause of the noise. If this symptom is caused by a disease, then you need to treat it. After successful completion, the noise will pass.
In most cases, the appearance of tinnitus is caused by the appearance of sulfur plugs, which swell when bathing and contribute to the appearance of tinnitus. It is not always possible to remove the sulfuric plug with a cotton swab, therefore it is best to periodically bury the ear with 3% hydrogen peroxide, olive oil or apply tinnitus drops that soften the sulfur and bring it out.
Often the cause of tinnitus in young people is industrial noise, loud music at a disco or the constant use of headphones. In this case, a temporary decrease in hearing occurs. If these irritants are constantly present, then chronic hearing loss may occur. To prevent this, you need to use headphones less often and protect your hearing when working in enterprises with a high noise load.
Tinnitus: causes and treatment. Diagnostics
It is impossible to find a cure for tinnitus without pinpointing the causes. To do this, you must consult a doctor who will conduct the examination. An effective diagnosis and identification of the cause of tinnitus can only be done by an otolaryngologist, who, first of all, prescribes an x-ray or ultrasound of the brain, cervical spine and helps to answer the question of how to get rid of tinnitus.
In some cases, REG (rheoencephalography) can be prescribed, which allows you to examine blood vessels using a weak discharge of high-frequency current. When confirming the pathology, appropriate treatment is prescribed. This can be physiotherapy in combination with medications that increase blood circulation in the brain and stimulate neurometabolic processes.
In osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Meloxicam and non-narcotic analgesics such as Catadolone are prescribed. Vascular treatment can be carried out by Cerebrolysin, Cerebramin, Cortexin. The blood circulation of the brain is normalized by "Cinnarizine", "Cortexin" and others.
Folk remedies, recipes
If serious diseases are not found during the examination, then folk remedies for tinnitus can be used, the recipes of which are presented in large quantities.
They claim that tincture of lemon balm helps not only as a protection against tinnitus, but also restores hearing, for this it is enough to drip 2-3 drops into the ears at night, then lay the ear canal with a cotton swab and cover the ears with a warm bandage. To prepare the tincture, take three parts of vodka and one part of dry lemon balm, leave for at least 7 days in a shaded place.
Grind viburnum with honey until smooth. Put the mixture formed by the thin sausage into a small piece of the bandage folded in half, wrap it and insert it into the ear canal overnight.
Fill a small onion with caraway seeds and put in the oven for baking. After that, squeeze the juice, strain it. Bury ears 2 times a day, 2 drops of juice.
Tinnitus Exercises
There are simple but effective exercises for tinnitus to help remove or reduce it. It is unlikely that at the first execution they will immediately save for a long time from this unpleasant phenomenon. But with regular repetition, you can achieve a result.
- Place palms with inner side to the auricles, squeezing them slightly, and quickly release. This exercise needs to be carried out quickly, the amount can be from 15 to 20.
- Insert index fingers into the ear canal, slightly pressing, and sharply remove them. In order not to injure the surface of the ear canal, the nails need to be cut short. It is carried out from 15 to 20 times.
- A compress from ammonia helps with tinnitus. To do this, take half a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of ammonia. Mix and moisten a napkin that is applied to the forehead. Lie down with a compress for about 20 minutes until the ringing becomes subtle.
Head and auricle massage
It is good to massage the head from ringing in the ears, it improves blood circulation, the work of the hearing system. To do this, you need to perform circular movements with the fingertips from the forehead, temples and neck to the crown of the head. Movement is smooth and slow.
Well helps and massage the ears , special attention should be paid to the hollows under the earlobes. You need to massage in progressive circular movements from the upper part of the ear to the lobe.