Help for Ringing in the Ears

Ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus, can range from occasional bouts of a high-pitched hum to a constant, piercingly shrill noise. Some people only experience ringing in their ears intermittently. Others hear the ringing at varying volumes 24 hours a day. While there is no easy cure for tinnitus, treatments can often alleviate the symptoms. Figuring out the underlying cause for ringing in the ears is even better for helping the condition.

Treatment

• While it may not be the cause of tinnitus, an excessive amount of impacted earwax can increase the sense of ringing in your ears. Visit a doctor for ear wax extraction from both ears. There are ear candling experts who work independently of physicians' offices that may help relieve buildup in the ears as well.

  Some people suffering from tinnitus find it hard to sleep at night because the ringing sound is so loud. In these cases, you may want to purchase a noise machine. Rather than listening to the unsettling shrill sound in your ears, you could listen to rain or a rolling ocean while in bed, improving your sleep conditions.

  Anti-depressants have been linked to alleviating tinnitus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Talk to your doctor to see about a prescription for tricyclic anti-depressants as well as alprazolam and acamprosate. Some alternative treatments have had good reviews at helping ringing in the ears, such as taking Ginkgo biloba, B vitamins and visiting an acupuncturist. While these methods have been known to help some people, they haven't been conclusively proven to help tinnitus.

Underlying Causes

• Tinnitus is often caused by an underlying medical problem, since ringing in the ears may be a symptom of an illness. First examine the medications you've been taking. If you noticed that you began hearing ringing in your ears after taking a certain pill, tell your doctor. They may be able to prescribe you something else in the hopes of alleviating the side effect.

  Some tinnitus is caused by a blood vessel condition that produces a whooshing or ringing sound in your ears. These conditions may require surgery or medication in order to improve the problem.

  Contact your physician if you aren't able to help your tinnitus on your own. They may be able to figure out the underlying problem during a thorough physical. For instance, temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJD, may cause ringing in the ears according to the American Tinnitus Association.