Irving Primary Care

Ringing In The Ears – Do You Hear What I Hear?

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If you hear ringing in your ear for no apparent reason, it may be tinnitus. But before we disclose what it is and if it can be prevented or not, we first need to understand how we hear sounds in the first place.

When sound waves hit the inside structure of the ear which further turns these vibrations in to nerve signals, we hear sounds. Our ears consist of three different regions –the eardrum, tiny hairs, and cochlea. They all have different functions to perform and when any one of them stops doing that; tinnitus is experienced aka ringing in the ears.

Tinnitus is a symptom of some underlying disease. It can be defined as a sensation or feeling where one feels constant hissing, buzzing, ringing, chirping or whistling in the ear. One of the most common symptoms of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise. And if you think it isn’t that common, know that approximately 50 million adults in America suffer from it at least once in their lifetime. Other causes behind it can include:

  • Fluid buildup in the middle air
  • An infection in the air canal
  • Ageing
  • Tumors
  • Malformation of the inner, middle or outer ear
  • Head or neck injury
  • Virus

Prevention

Tinnitus can be prevented in a number of different ways. For instance:

  • Limiting the exposure to loud noises, especially if you work in a factory or backstage at concerts.
  • If that can’t be avoided, always wear ear plugs to dim out the sounds so that they don’t cause any harm to the muscles inside your ears.
  • Cut back on caffeine and alcohol as it weakens the immune system overtime, making one prone to multiple viral infections.
  • Boost physical activity as better the flows of blood throughout the body.
  • Avoid or quit smoking as the harmful chemical in the cigarette such as nicotine limits the flow of blood in the ears.
  • Try to lose a few pounds, as tinnitus is most common in those who are obese.

However, if none of these seem to eliminate the ringing in the ear, it might be time to seek medical assistance. Visit Dr. Parikh so that he can help you find the underlying cause of tinnitus. Always remember, early prevention is half the cure.  Getting checked early will lessen your likelihood of hearing loss. To schedule a consultation, call 469-262-5762, or visit www.healthonemedicine.com for more information.