How to Stop Ringing Ears
A constant ringing in the ears--called tinnitus--is a common problem, especially as people get older. There are many causes of tinnitus, ranging from blood vessel abnormalities to too much earwax or taking certain medications. The ringing, buzzing and other noise you hear may be mildly annoying or serve enough to interfere in your daily life. There are a variety of treatment options to pursue to try to stop the ringing in your ears.
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Instructions
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Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your problem with ringing in your ears. Bring a list of medicines, vitamins and supplements your currently take. Sometimes tinnitus is caused by a drug you are taking and simply switching to another medication can stop your discomfort.
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Ask your doctor to remove any impacted wax that you may have in your ears. An overabundance of ear wax is a common cause of tinnitus.
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Get checked out for any structural abnormalities in your ears. Tinnitus can be caused by vascular problems, some of which may require surgery to correct.
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Avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. Nicotine can cause irritation to your ears and may be a reason you are experiencing a ringing of the ears. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, making your blood flow louder in your ears, which can be a form of tinnitus.
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Discuss the subject of taking an antidepressant with your doctor if you have severe ringing or buzzing in your ears. Medications such as Xanax and amitriptyline may not stop your problem completely but could reduce the amount of noise you hear.
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Begin a regimen of zinc supplements with the permission of your doctor. Zinc is an element that helps fight free radicals, boosts your immunity and supports a number of your body's essential systems. Some people who have tinnitus experience less noise when they take extra doses of zinc.
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Manage your stress effectively. Becoming stress-free is not a guarantee that the ringing in your ears will stop, but it can greatly reduce the noise level, as tinnitus is usually worse when you are feeling a lot of pressure in your life. Take a relaxing bath, go for a walk to unwind or participate in a hobby you enjoy to bring your stress level down.
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Try an alternative treatment such as acupuncture to stop the ringing in your ears. Acupuncture is the ancient practice of realigning your body's energy (called the "qi") through the insertion of very fine needles at specific pressure points in your body. Acupuncture is used as a method of pain relief and may improve your tinnitus. Locate a local acupuncturist with Acufinder.com (see Resources).
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