How Does Lifestyle Impact Tinnitus?

The American Tinnitus Association indicated that approximately 50 million people experience tinnitus at some point in their lives. Tinnitus is the perception of noise, especially when no external sound is present. People living with the condition often describe it as ringing, buzzing, swooshing, hissing or clicking. Although tinnitus is not considered a medical condition, it can be a symptom of an underlying condition.

It’s prudent to consult with your hearing health professional to determine the severity of your tinnitus. While genetic factors can increase your likelihood of developing the condition, lifestyle factors can also worsen it. This article will explain how lifestyle impacts tinnitus.

Constant Exposure to Loud Noises

If you’re constantly exposed to loud noises, the chances of developing tinnitus are higher. The World Health Organization states that over 50% of people ages 12-35 could risk being exposed to unsafe sound levels due to the use of personal audio devices. Extremely loud noises can damage the hair cells in your cochlea, causing it to bend or break, leading to hearing loss. The auditory system becomes more sensitive to compensate for the lack of noise. This explains why those exposed to loud noises hear ringing, buzzing or whooshing sounds in their ears.

Inadequate Sleep and High-Stress Levels

Sleeping with tinnitus can quickly become a vicious circle if it isn’t addressed immediately. People with the condition find it difficult to fall asleep at night due to the constant noise in their ears. Even if they manage to fall asleep, anxiety can make it difficult to get a restful sleep. This causes the tinnitus to worsen, which in turn makes sleep difficult. Poor sleep can also be triggered by high-stress levels, affecting other aspects of your health. For instance, extreme stress can cause your blood pressure to rise, worsening tinnitus.

Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption

If you have tinnitus, it would be in your best interest to stop your alcohol and tobacco consumption if you haven’t already. A study conducted on 51 tinnitus patients revealed a connection between alcohol consumption and worsened tinnitus symptoms. 84% of them revealed that alcohol increased the level of their condition, while 73% became more aware of their condition.

Besides, 43% reported worsened sleep after consuming alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco use affect the blood vessels, increasing blood flow into your ears. This, in turn, causes the ringing and swooshing sounds.

Head Injuries

It’s not uncommon for people to experience tinnitus after obtaining a head injury on concussion. For instance, people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often report dizziness, hearing loss and ringing in the ears. Research shows that more than half of TBI patients experience tinnitus, which directly results from the injury or a side effect of medications used to treat the condition.

Additionally, people with TBI can also experience other hearing conditions like aural fullness, auditory processing problems and noise sensitivity. Therefore, it’s imperative to visit your hearing health professional if you’ve had TBI and are experiencing tinnitus or other hearing conditions. They will examine you to determine the right treatment for you.