Tinnitus is the subjective perception of sound in the absence of an objective external stimulus. The term "noise" refers to ringing, hum, buzzing, rustling, knocking, creaking, even sounds similar to the operation of appliances. It can be heard in one or both ears, while there are no external noise sources. In medicine, this phenomenon is usually called "tinnitus" (tinnīre).
What causes 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 occurrence 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, make it barely noticeable.
How to determine what helps with tinnitus? First of all, you should consult 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. That's when the noise becomes distinct and clear. This can serve as a strong irritant, as a result of which a person cannot fall asleep. During the daytime, when external sound influences are present, the noise in the shah is not noticeable to most people.
Mechanism of tinnitus
When asking how to get rid of tinnitus, a person must be clearly aware 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 human inner ear includes auditory cells with small hairs. It is with their help that external sound is converted into nerve impulses that are transmitted to the brain.
Under the influence of external sound, the hairs move, 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 occur as a result of damage or irritation, medical science does not give an exact explanation of the reason for their action.
Tinnitus in diseases of the hearing organs
There are many reasons for ringing in the ears. Alonecan be easily eliminated at home, others caused by diseases disappear as a result of treatment. This can often be associated with 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 tinnitus becomes distinct.
If a person hears well, then during the day he practically does not feel tinnitus, not because it is not there, but because it is drowned out by external sounds. How to get rid of ringing in the ears? First of all, you need to consult an otolaryngologist. Since self-medication is fraught with hearing loss. In a lot of cases it could be:
- Injuries and diseases of the inner or middle ear, as well as the nerves that carry impulses to the brain.
- Appearance of spasm of the posterior auricular artery. This occurs as a result of high blood pressure, lack of oxygen, hemoglobin in the blood, anemia.
- Excess fluid in the inner ear. This phenomenon is called Meniere's disease.
There are a lot of diseases of the hearing organs. Only an otolaryngologist can establish an accurate diagnosis.
Tinnitus. Other causes of occurrence
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 is possible as a result of its swelling when bathing.
- The appearance of tinnitus can be from nervous strain and stress. As a result, an increased amount of adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, which causes ringing and pulsating noise in the ears. In this case, it is enough to rest, sleep - and everything will pass. If depression takes on a protracted character, a consultation with a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed.
- Loud music or industrial noise. They can cause temporary hearing loss.
- Atmospheric pressure can cause tinnitus.
- Inadequate amount of vitamins B3, E, potassium and magnesium trace elements.
- The use of certain drugs, these include "Gentamicin", "Aspirin", "Chimidin" and others.
These causes can usually be removed at home without the help of a doctor.
Tinnitus due to disease
Having determined why tinnitus has occurred (the causes and treatment of the disease that caused them must also 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 uneven eddies in the blood flow, in which a characteristic tinnitus appears. This is dangerous with the appearance of strokes and bleeding in the brain.
- Iodine deficiency in the blood caused by diseases of the thyroid gland. It is the lack of iodine that causes tinnitus.
- Kidney diseases. In particular, the adrenal glands, which are responsible for the production of adrenaline, norepinephrine. These hormones affect blood pressure, heart muscle function, 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, the arteries in this area can be compressed, which leads to a shortage of blood supply to the brain, which provokes tinnitus.
What causes tinnitus in older people
One third of people affected by tinnitus are older people. Due to age-related changes in blood vessels, hearing organs, the appearance of chronic diseases, tinnitus and head noise occurs in elderly people. Often, it is only possible to alleviate the condition, reduce noise, including ringing in the ears. 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 noise. The bone tissue in the middle ear increases, which leads to an initial decrease in the perception of low-frequency sound, then it passes to all sounds, which leads to 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 noisehearing loss occurs first in one, and then in both ears.
Cardiovascular diseases make insufficient supply of oxygen to the organs, removal of toxins.
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 it needs to be treated. After successful completion, the noise will pass.
In most cases, tinnitus is caused by wax plugs that swell when bathing and cause ringing in the ears. It is not always possible to remove a wax plug with a Q-tip, so it is best to periodically instill an ear with 3% hydrogen peroxide, olive oil, or apply tinnitus drops that soften the wax and bring it out.
Tinnitus in young people is often caused by industrial noise, loud disco music, or constant use of headphones. In this case, there is a temporary hearing loss. If these irritants are constantly present, then chronic hearing loss can occur. To prevent this, wear headphones less frequently and protect your hearing when working in noisy environments.
Tinnitus: causes and treatment. Diagnosis
Without establishing the exact causes of tinnitus, it is impossible to find a cure. To do this, you need to contact a doctor who will conduct an examination. Conduct an effective diagnosis and identify the cause of tinnitusonly an otolaryngologist can, who, first of all, prescribes an x-ray or ultrasound of the brain, cervical spine and will help answer the question of how to get rid of tinnitus.
In some cases, REG (rheoencephalography) can be prescribed, which allows you to examine the vessels with a weak discharge of high-frequency current. When the pathology is confirmed, appropriate treatment is prescribed. This may be physical therapy combined with medications that increase blood circulation in the brain and stimulate neurometabolic processes.
With osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Meloxicam, non-narcotic analgesics, such as Katadolon, 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 no serious diseases are found during the examination, then you can use folk remedies for tinnitus, the recipes of which are presented in large numbers.
They say that lemon balm tincture helps not only as 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 wrap the ears 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 shadedlocation.
Rub the viburnum with honey until a homogeneous mass is obtained. In a small piece of bandage folded in half, put the mixture formed by a thin sausage, wrap it up and insert it into the ear canal overnight.
Stuff a small onion with cumin seeds and place 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 tinnitus exercises that can help remove or reduce it. It is unlikely that at the first execution they will immediately relieve this unpleasant phenomenon for a long time. But with regular repetition, you can achieve results.
- Apply palms with the inside to the auricles, squeezing them slightly, and quickly release. This exercise should be done quickly, the number can be from 15 to 20.
- Insert the index fingers into the ear canal, slightly pressing, and pull them out sharply. In order not to injure the surface of the ear canal, the nails must be cut short. Run 15 to 20 times.
- A compress of ammonia helps with tinnitus. To do this, you need to take half a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of ammonia. Mix and wet a napkin, which is applied to the forehead. Lie down with a compress for 20 minutes until the ringing becomes barely noticeable.
Head and ear massage
It is good to massage the head from tinnitus, it improves blood circulation, the functioning of the hearing system. For this you need to performcircular movements with fingertips from the forehead, temples and neck to the top of the head. Move smoothly and slowly.
Massage of the auricles also helps, special attention should be paid to the hollows under the earlobes. You need to massage with translational circular movements from the top of the ear to the lobe.
