6 Things That Can Trigger Tinnitus
Do you find that a particular activity or action aggravates your tinnitus? We’ve compiled a list of the most common triggers that our community email us about. We would love to hear if you have any specific ones that you could share with us.
If you have any tips on how to prevent these triggers, we would also love to hear them. You can get in touch by email info@lios-group.com, over on Facebook, or on Twitter.
Our app, SoundRelief includes tracking features to allow you to pinpoint certain triggers. You can download it on Apple and Android devices by clicking on the download buttons in the top right corner of this page. The app comes with a 7-day free trial so you can try out the features.
Ear Infection
A middle ear infection can sometimes cause temporary tinnitus. The increase in fluid can muffle sound which causes the brain to re-interpret sound. This can result in tinnitus. Tinnitus experienced with an ear infection should go away once the infection has been resolved.
If you've ever felt a jolt of vertigo or felt a bit wobbly, you might have an inner ear infection. Your inner ears are full of fluid that moves around to signal to your brain that you are moving. This fluid can also tell your brain whether you're sitting up, leaning back, lying down, or whether your head is looking straight ahead, up, or down.
Ear wax
You may experience tinnitus, dizziness, ear pain, decreased hearing, or drainage from the ear canal if you have a build up of wax.
If you have a wax build up in your ear, it’s always best to get it seen by a professional. Your audiologist or doctor can remove it safely for you. You should never stick anything in your ear in case you damage it, therefore it is advised that you get the wax removed professionally.
Loud Events
It’s hard to avoid loud events but it’s not hard to enjoy them while making sure not to aggravate your tinnitus. Carnivals, concerts, and firework displays are just some examples of events that could trigger your tinnitus. As long as you have adequate hearing protection to hand you could prevent your tinnitus from flaring up. Make sure to stand back from the speakers or where the firework display is being set off so you lower the sound levels you’re exposed to.
Noise in the Workplaces
Many people are so accustomed to the sound of their work environment that they may not have linked it to their condition. However, if your job consistently exposes you to noise levels of 80 dB or more, then you are at risk and may already be feeling the effects. If this is the case it is vital that your employer is made aware of the dangers, and legally they must take action. Ensure you wear appropriate ear protection. Even wearing earplugs can reduce noise levels by up to 35 dB. It’s also important to give your ears time to recover. This means 16 hours of quiet time if you’re exposed to 100 dB of noise.
Flying
The pressure change and noise of the engine can be a big trigger to some people and may make people stress about flying. Choose your seating wisely, at the front of the plane the engine noise isn’t as loud; in fact anywhere in front of the wings is an advantage. Chew gum or suck on a hard boiled sweet to help you swallow more often which will help equalise the air pressure during takeoff and landing.
Smoking
Certain substances in cigarettes, such as nicotine, are also ototoxic and can trigger or cause tinnitus, damage your hearing, or affect your balance.
Many statistics over the past few years have shown that a shocking 70% of smokers are more likely to develop some form of hearing loss compared to non-smokers. It’s time to kick the habit!