Tinnitus is characterized by a ringing, buzzing, clicking or roaring in the ears that cannot be heard from the outside. Affecting approximately 10% of the U.S. adult population, tinnitus can vary in frequency and range from nonbothersome to bothersome.
Nonbothersome tinnitus, while likely annoying, can usually be shaken off or ignored. Bothersome tinnitus, on the other hand, can cause stress, sleeplessness, irritability and other adverse side effects.
While there is no known cure for tinnitus, knowing what causes your tinnitus flare-ups can help you limit their occurrence.
What Are the Common Causes of Tinnitus Flare-Ups?
Because tinnitus varies from person to person, research on what specific triggers will influence your flare-ups is limited. Paying attention to when your tinnitus occurs will help you define your own triggers. To help you track them, observe your reaction to some of these common triggers:
- Lack of sleep
- Stress, anxiety and depression
- Certain medications
- Air pressure changes
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Dehydration
- Allergies
- Exposure to loud noises
- Jaw pain
You are not guaranteed to be impacted by any of these common triggers, but knowing what they are may help you track your tinnitus.
Tips for Tracking Tinnitus Flare-Ups
Paying attention to your tinnitus flare-ups will help you know what triggers to avoid. A couple of tips for keeping track of your flare-ups include:
- Keep notes. Whether on your phone, notebook or day planner, keeping notes is essential in identifying your triggers. Every time you experience tinnitus, write down the severity, length and what you were doing when it occurred.
- Cut out possible triggers. Cutting out potential triggers one at a time can help you narrow in on the causes of your tinnitus flare-ups. If you notice that you frequently experience a bout of tinnitus after a latte from Jittery Joe’s Coffee, try cutting out your daily latte and swapping it for a cup of herbal tea. If your tinnitus doesn’t seem to appear as frequently, caffeine may be a possible trigger.
While tinnitus has no known cure, hearing aids can help drown out the internal ringing by amplifying external sounds. While this will not stop tinnitus, it can mitigate your symptoms when they cannot be avoided.
For more information on managing your tinnitus, contact ENT of Athens today to make an appointment with one of our representatives.