As music lovers, one of the greatest fears one has would be to suffer from hearing problems. You do not have to lose your hearing ability completely. Hearing some other strange sounds you cannot decipher can also distract you. Whether it is temporary or often (and most of the time taking longer time), that sound that seems to come from nowhere is very annoying.

So, what is that phantom sound called? According to medical journals, that mysterious ringing sound in your ear is called “tinnitus”. But, what is tinnitus in the ear, exactly? How serious can it get?

7 Facts about tinnitus in the ear:

There are facts about tinnitus in the ear that you need to pay attention to. There are:

1. Tinnitus is an abnormal noise in the ear.
2. There are four sections of the ear that can rise tinnitus, which include:

–        The outer ear.

–        The middle ear.

–        The inner ear.

–        The brain.

3. Just like many illnesses and diseases, stress is the number one, major factor that can cause – and even worsen – tinnitus in the ear. Even if the ringing may be caused by the aftermath of a loud noise in your ear, your excessive worry and concern may possibly turn it into the real tinnitus in the future.
4. Anxiety works like stress. It causes and worsens tinnitus in the ear as well.
5. If you are depressed and still in medication, tinnitus can also be the side effect of the psychiatric treatments.
6. Tinnitus (especially if it has been going on too long) can reduce the quality of your sleep and your concentration. Obviously, it also decreases your hearing ability.
7. If tinnitus has been going on too long, the first thing that you can do to get evaluated is to take a hearing test. The test is called “audiogram”. Consult with your doctor first before you go to the lab.

Can tinnitus be cured – or at least reduced?

Regarding age, the older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from tinnitus. However, there are some ways that can help you to reduce tinnitus:

1. Avoid loud noise around you.

It is easier said than done if your job involves being in the area where loud noise takes place. (For example: concert halls, construction sites, streets with busy traffic, airports, train stations, bus stations, and even gardeners who use lawn mowers.) Wearing earplugs or ear muffs can help to reduce the tinnitus in your ear.

There is a reason why some people do not like the idea of listening to music through an earphone, especially too long. That means having too close a contact between the music (or the noise source) right into your ears. Blasting loud music like that can also hurt and damage your eardrums in the long run.

2. Stress and fatigue can destroy you.

It is true, living and working in the big city has its price to pay. Cutting down your break time is one sacrifice you often make. Unfortunately, it is just a matter of when before stress and fatigue start taking over and giving you tinnitus. Working hard is good, but resting well is also important.

3. Medications.

This is why consulting with your doctor is very important. If you are going through a certain medical treatment, you might need to discuss with your doctor about the possibility of getting tinnitus from certain medicines. Either it is a side effect or a cause, certain steps have to be taken to reduce the possibility.

4. Go easy on the caffeine.

Working hard requires cutting down your break time. To make that work, you usually need a drink or two to keep you awake longer. At first, caffeine seems like the perfect solution. Unfortunately, coffee, tea, soda, and even chocolate are the triggers for tinnitus – either temporary or permanent. Skip them all.

The major concern regarding tinnitus: going deaf

Since tinnitus is highly associated with the ear, of course many are worried about going deaf because of it. It is true that tinnitus is caused by a fault in your hearing system. It is also often associated with losing your hearing ability.

However, there is no need for you to panic. Consider tinnitus as a warning sign, an alarm that comes straight from your own body. Avoid loud noise and go see your doctor for further medical treatment.

Does wearing hearing aids really help with your tinnitus?

Some people may feel awkward with this idea, especially since they are still able to hear. However, this is actually not a bad idea. Just make sure that the hearing aids you choose are of good quality and can reduce the possibility of getting tinnitus. The best ones take away the strain of listening and filter the tinnitus.

So, it is good that now you know what is tinnitus and how to reduce it in your ear.