What Makes Tinnitus Worse?

by | Dec 28, 2024 | Patient Resources

Tinnitus is the name for a noise with no external source that only you can hear. People with tinnitus have cited it as sounding like a whistling, humming, roaring, fluttering, or ringing in their ears, ranging from mildly distracting to stress-inducing and frustrating.

While tinnitus is not in our wheelhouse of specialties, we know a lot about this phantom noise that affects millions of Canadians and do our best to provide advice and guidance where we can for the members of our community who deal with it.

Here are five of the most common things that can worsen your tinnitus symptoms.

Loud Noises

Tinnitus can often be caused by exposure to loud noise, but temporary tinnitus typically resolves itself on its own after the loud noise is gone. Repeated exposure to loud noise without proper hearing protection can lead to long-term tinnitus or hearing loss challenges.

Earwax Impaction

Earwax, or cerumen, is designed to protect your inner ear by preventing dirt and debris from entering the ear canal. However, earwax can sometimes get impacted, which can lead to temporary hearing loss or tinnitus symptoms.

If you have reason to believe that your tinnitus is due to earwax impaction, and you’re also dealing with earaches, dizziness, and discomfort in your ears, we can remove that earwax for you so you can find relief.

Stress and Trouble Sleeping

Stress can make your tinnitus feel much worse when you struggle to find a way to distract yourself from it; fatigue from lack of sleep due to the incessant ringing can also lead to worse tinnitus symptoms.

Your tinnitus care provider will be able to provide personalized options to help address your tinnitus symptoms, like sound therapy or relaxation techniques.

Underlying Health Conditions

Allergies, high blood pressure, infections, and other health conditions can lead to tinnitus symptoms, especially for infections where cold symptoms can plug up ears and sinuses. Make sure to visit your primary healthcare provider if your symptoms do not go away after a week or two.

Alcohol and Other Stimulants

Drinking alcohol or coffee and smoking can raise your blood pressure, which can sometimes cause tinnitus. Cut back on stimulants like these and see if there’s a noticeable difference in your tinnitus symptoms; if not, it’s time to seek out professional assistance.

When to See a Professional for Your Tinnitus

While we ourselves do not offer tinnitus treatment, we can offer advice and referrals to experts in our field who can help you with personalized tinnitus treatment.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice if you believe you’re dealing with tinnitus; we can help with a hearing examination and see what we can do before offering external support from tinnitus specialists.

For a more immediate conversation, you can find your closest clinic and call us in:

Toronto: (416) 590-9100
Mississauga: (905) 817-1010

Contact Us for Advice

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