by Cathy Duesterhoeft, Waushara County Elder Benefit Specialist
Tinnitus often accom-panies hearing loss and refers to a variable noise in the ear that can be a ringing, buzzing, chirping, blowing, roaring, or popping sound. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus is not caused by an external sound, and other people usually cannot hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people and is especially common in older adults. Tinnitus is the number one disability among military veterans according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It can be caused by infections, injuries, allergies, tumors, or unknown reasons. Risk factors include exposure to loud noise, age, gender (men are more likely to develop tinnitus), tobacco or alcohol us, and health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
In many cases, tinnitus is the result of something that cannot be prevented. However, some precautions can help prevent certain kinds of tinnitus.
•Use hearing protection. Over time, exposure to loud sounds can damage the nerves in the ears, causing hearing loss and tinnitus. Try to limit your exposure to loud sounds. And if you cannot avoid loud sounds, use ear protection to help protect your hearing. If you use chain saws, are a musician, work in an industry that uses loud machinery or use firearms (especially pistols or shotguns), always wear over-the-ear hearing protection.
•Turn down the volume. Long-term exposure to amplified music with no ear protection or listening to music at very high volume through headphones can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
•Take care of your cardiovascular health. Regular exercise, eating right and taking other steps to keep your blood vessels healthy can help prevent tinnitus linked to obesity and blood vessel disorders.
•Limit alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. These substances, especially when used in excess, can affect blood flow, and contribute to tinnitus.
For many people, tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable. Treatments include earwax removal, treatment of a blood condition, hearing aids or medication changes. Unfortunately, tinnitus cannot be cured in many people.
To lessen symptoms, some turn to noise suppression by using a white noise machine or wearing a masking device in the ears, according to the Mayo Clinic.
