What Lifestyle Factors Influence Tinnitus?

No matter who you are, where you live or what you do, it’s likely that you’ve experienced tinnitus. Most of us know that irritating ringing that can be extremely distracting and even cause you to lose sleep at night. A loss of hearing usually accompanies it, and the overall effect is like someone has stuffed a handful of cotton wool into your ears and somehow lost their alarm clock in your ear canal in the process. Many experience tinnitus and lots of us experience it in different ways. For some, it manifests as a ringing, while for others the sound is closer to a hissing or humming, buzzing or even a clicking.

In the majority of cases, tinnitus can go away of its own accord, yet some experience it much more frequently. That’s because their lifestyles are more conducive to the underlying causes of tinnitus. Tinnitus is never the problem itself, but rather the symptom of an underlying issue. While other factors such as genetic history play a part, lifestyle is a significant factor in influencing the onset of tinnitus. The following lifestyle factors can result in the frequent emergence of tinnitus:

Loud noise

There are many reasons why we may experience loud noises in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes it may be voluntary while sometimes we may have little choice in the matter. Some of us may work with loud machinery or in noisy workplaces while others may have a passion for live music or vibrant nightlife. Nonetheless, whatever brings you into contact with a loud noise, it is vital that you protect your ears.

Your audiologist can recommend an appropriate form of hearing protection to suit your unique needs and lifestyle.

Stress

Where there is stress there is usually hypertension or high blood pressure. People with stressful jobs and lifestyles tend to experience tinnitus more frequently because they often have higher blood pressure. Hypertension and tinnitus often go hand in hand.

Sporting activities

Often head trauma or activities that necessitate rapid head movement or blows to the head can invite tinnitus. This is because tinnitus is often caused by spasms of the tiny muscles of the inner ear. Thus, those who practice boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts or other activities in which there is the risk of regular light head trauma are at a heightened risk of tinnitus.

Alcohol intake

You work hard, and you play hard. But medical science has established a clear link between tinnitus and increased alcohol intake. Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you consume throughout the week may cause your tinnitus to abate.

Salty snacks

In a stressful working day, it’s easy to find solace in the salty snacks in your workplace vending machine. But increased sodium intake is also linked to increased risk of tinnitus due to the link between salt intake and hypertension.

Caffeine

We all rely on a hot cup of joe to kickstart our day. But overindulging on caffeine can also increase blood pressure, which once again increases your risk of tinnitus.

How your audiologist can help

Your audiologist can help to identify the root cause of your tinnitus and any lifestyle factors that may exacerbate it. If you can’t seem to shake off your tinnitus, get in touch with a local audiologist today.