HEALTHY LIVING
hearing aids may make tinnitus less noticeable. Wearable sound generators. These
Fix Your. . . Tinnitus
OVERVIEW: Tinnitus is the perception of sound, typically ringing, but also buzzing or roaring, in one or both ears that isn’t caused by an external sound and can only be heard by you. A common condition, especially in older adults, it affects up to 20% of people.
WHY YOUR EARS ARE ‘RINGING’ Loud noises. Loud noises, such as
those from firearms and chainsaws or listening to loud music for long periods of time, are linked to tinnitus. Age and sex. The number of active
nerve fibers in your ears decreases with age, possibly leading to tinnitus. The condition is more common in men. Tobacco and alcohol.
Both smoking and drinking alcohol increase the risk. General health
antidepressants can cause tinnitus. Ear problems. Earwax, ear infections, and Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder, can also cause ringing in the ears.
Symptoms: Some people hear phantom noises in one
problems. Head injuries, high blood pressure, obesity, arthritis, cardiovascular problems, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can raise your odds. Medications. Some painkillers, cancer drugs, antibiotics, and
Those with chronic tinnitus showed a loss of auditory nerve fibers as well as increased brain activity.
ear, or both ears. The sounds
may buzz, whistle, ring, or roar, and they may be loud or soft and high- or low-pitched. The sound may come and go or be constantly present.
WHAT TO DO Use sound generators. These machines and apps are usually used for relaxation or sleep, but evidence shows that they may mask the aggravating sounds of tinnitus and can even reverse some of the neural changes caused
by hearing loss. You can choose white noise or other pleasant sounds, such as waves, rain, or a
summer night. Consider hearing aids. Tinnitus
is linked with hearing loss, and amplifying everyday sounds with
Finding a Cause of Tinnitus E
xperts believe tinnitus may
occur when the brain attempts to compensate for hearing loss by generating phantom noise. However, that theory doesn’t explain tinnitus in people who
82 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | FEBRUARY 2025
have normal hearing. Now, Harvard Medical School scientists discovered “hidden” hearing loss due to damage to the auditory nerve that is not detected by conventional tests. Researchers studied
small electronic devices fit in the ear and produce soft, enjoyable sounds. Since they are portable, they can provide continuous relief. Take zinc. About 85% of tinnitus
patients who took zinc supplements for two months reported an improvement in symptoms, according to a study published in Biomedical Journal. Try ginseng. A study published in
the Journal of Audiology & Otology found that taking 3,000 milligrams of ginseng daily significantly reduced the severity of tinnitus. Practice yoga. A study published
in International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology found that tinnitus sufferers who practiced yoga once a week for three months improved their symptoms of chronic tinnitus. Take acai. People who took acai, a
fruit rich in antioxidants, reported a significant reduction in tinnitus when compared to a placebo group, according to a randomized study.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS Seek medical advice if tinnitus is more than a transitory nuisance. Also, see your doctor if you develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection and it doesn’t improve within a week, or you have hearing loss or experience dizziness with the tinnitus.
Sources: Mayo Clinic; National Institutes of Health;
Harvard.edu; Medical News Today; WebMD; Cleveland Clinic
nearly 300 adults with normal hearing tests who had chronic tinnitus, no tinnitus, or intermittent tinnitus. Compared with having no tinnitus, those with chronic tinnitus showed a loss of auditory nerve fibers as well as increased brain
activity. “That fits with the idea that as a result of hearing loss, the brain increases its activity, which is possibly why you perceive a tone or a sound that isn’t there,” said tinnitus researcher Stéphane Maison, Ph.D.
EAR/VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/GETTY IMAGES
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