Categories Tinnitus

Tinnitus – Ringing In the Ears

What is Tinnitus?

Once diagnosed with tinnitus people usually jump to the treatment of this condition. However, knowing and understanding this condition is as important as the treatment.

Firstly, it must be made clear that tinnitus is not a disorder or a disease in fact it is a symptom of any underlying condition. These conditions include circulatory disorders, hearing problems, or ear injury.

Tinnitus is mainly defined as the ringing of ears or perception of sound without any stimulus. In this condition, you might hear some sounds like ringing, humming, grinding, roaring, buzzing, hissing, chirping, clicking, and whistling.

These sounds are either continuous or intermittent which means that you might experience the ringing of ears in episodes or continuously for a long period of time. Usually, the loudness and frequency of sounds fluctuate.

They are loudest when you are somewhere quiet especially before sleeping at night. The ringing of ears also disturbs the quality of sleep. Tinnitus is a disturbing condition that is often associated with either already underlying medical conditions like hearing loss and ear injuries or it generates new conditions in the sufferer such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

A person with tinnitus often complains of loud sounds because they readily grow insensitive to them. Chronic and persistent or acute and temporary, tinnitus must be given serious attention. 

Types of Tinnitus

There are two types of tinnitus:

Subjective tinnitus

This is the most common type of tinnitus. In this type, only you can hear the sounds in your ear while others cannot. The buzzing, humming, and grinding voices are perceived by you only.

Objective tinnitus

This is the rarest type of tinnitus. In this type, not only you but others can also hear the sounds in your hearing.

The sounds don’t radiate out of your ear but upon closely listening to your ear others can hear sounds. Usually, doctors use a stethoscope for this purpose. People who have heart murmur usually present with whooshing sounds in their ears. Those people who smoke and drink alcohol are at a higher risk. Also, men are more prone to develop this condition than women. 

Who is at risk?

Already 15-20% of people are experiencing tinnitus. 50 million people only in America are affected by this condition. According to statistics, people who are aged above 50 years are at higher risk of developing this condition. Not only old people but children and adolescents can also develop this condition. 

How is it caused? 

The actual causes of tinnitus still could not be figured out but there are various conditions that often cause tinnitus. Surprisingly, 1 out of every 3 people with tinnitus doesn’t have a particular cause. 

  • As the age of a human being progresses the risk of developing tinnitus increases. This is called age-related tinnitus. 
  • Those people who are exposed to loud music or industrial sounds for long time periods also develop this condition. Repeated exposure to loud noise often weakens the hearing mechanism inside the inner ear. In such cases, the loud sounds damage the sensory cells. Once damaged they transmit signals of sound to the brain producing ringing in ears. This is called noise-induced tinnitus. 
  • Most of the time, it is just an accumulation of wax and nothing very serious. Over time the number of wax increases which leads to the ringing of ears. Carefully removing it eliminates the condition.
  • There is a possibility of infection in the middle ear because of which the wrong perception of sounds begins.
  • Rarely, a bony growth develops in the ear abnormally. It is a genetic condition called osteosclerosis. The abnormal growth produces tinnitus. 
  • Certain drugs also produce tinnitus as their side-effect. These drugs include NSAIDs, aspirin, antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, anti-convulsants, loop diuretics, and tricyclic antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs. There are over 200 drugs that possibly cause tinnitus if someone starts or stops taking them. 
  • In unfortunate scenarios, such as blasts in soldiers from the army and the people affected in blast often damages their brain tissues in areas that process sound signals. In such cases, the consequences include tinnitus and hearing loss. 
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction which is a painful condition that restricts the movement of this joint also causes tinnitus. 

What are the symptoms? 

The symptoms of tinnitus are very clear. Patients dealing with it have a far better idea about the symptoms than anyone else. There is a continuous or on-and-off appearance of sounds that resemble high squeals or dull buzzing sounds.

There is no external sound but the sound in ears exists. Patients complain of irritation and disturbance because of these sounds as the sounds don’t let them concentrate on their work and studies. Moreover, tinnitus often leads to hearing loss, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

Due to constant hissing and humming in ears the patients don’t only feel uncomfortable but also develop anxiety as it is equivalent to hallucinating. Initially, they often believe that they are hallucinating about the sounds in their ear, and this is why awareness about this condition is very important. The symptoms tend to aggravate and alleviate in a disorderly fashion. 

How is it diagnosed? 

Tinnitus is difficult to diagnose. There is not a particular test for it. An otolaryngologist relies on the symptoms, history, and physical examination of the patient. Usually, they conduct a hearing test and ask a series of questions to understand the weightage of the condition.

Sometimes, they conduct an imaging scan or blood test when they anticipate a tumor that might be damaging their hearing ability. 

Upper cervical chiropractic is the ultimate solution! 

Experienced chiropractic performs some diagnostic tests to understand the cause of tinnitus with a chiropractic perspective. Sometimes subluxation of upper cervical spine or distortion of cervical posture leads to inflammation and damage to nerves and vascular structures which aid in the development of tinnitus.

After the problem in a spinal arrangement is identified chiropractic experts perform safe and effective adjustments in the upper cervical vertebrae to align the vertebrae correctly. Most of the patients observe improvement after only one session. Within a few sessions, the condition improves altogether. 

Reference:

Tinnitus (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156)

Why Are My Ears Ringing? (https://www.healthline.com/health/tinnitus)

What you need to know about Tinnitus (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156286)

Categories Tinnitus

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment for Tinnitus

How is tinnitus manifesting?

Tinnitus is when you hear whistling, buzzing, hissing, chirping, or other sounds in the head that is not occurring in your environment. Although tinnitus is not severe, it can be quite annoying and cause discomfort. Tinnitus is also known to be a symptom of an underlying condition and is not a condition itself. 

What is Tinnitus a Symptom for?

The main cause of tinnitus is prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as a live concert or noisy work equipment. As high as 90% of those who have tinnitus have some level of noise-induced hearing loss. This is because the noise causes permanent damage to the cells of the cochlea, an organ in the inner ear that are sensitive to sound.

Tinnitus may also be a symptom from the following:

  • Drugs
  •  About 200 prescription and non-prescription drugs have cited tinnitus as a side effect that may occur during use. Drugs such as aspirin, loop diuretics, antidepressants, various antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and quinine are among them.
  • Blockages
  •  Blockages can occur from a build-up of wax, an ear infection, or, although rare, a benign tumor of the auditory nerve.
  • Meniere’s Disease
  •  Meniere’s disease affects the inner part of the ear, causing the tinnitus to occur as a symptom.
  • Aging
  •  The natural aging process can lead to the cochlea or other parts of the ear to become weak or deteriorate.
  • Otosclerosis
  •  Otosclerosis is a disease in which the small bones in the middle ear stiffen. When the base of the stapes thickens and, eventually, fuse with the bone of the cochlea, it reduces the person’s standard sound transmission, which results in conductive deafness.
  • Injury
  •  An injury to the head or neck could cause tinnitus to occur.
  • Neck or Jaw Problems
  •  Problems with the neck or jaw, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, can cause tinnitus.

Also, tinnitus can be a symptom associated with other medical conditions:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Underactive Thyroid Gland
  • Autoimmune Disease
  • Allergies
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Circulatory Problems

Tinnitus can become worse for those who consume alcohol or caffeinated drinks, eat certain foods, or smoke cigarettes. Foods that often cause tinnitus to act up are salt, sweets, and fast food, as processed food should be avoided.

How is Tinnitus Treated?

The most common treatment options for tinnitus are medications, surgery, and noise suppression devices. The issue with drugs is the number of side effects that can arise while using them. The side effects associated with medications can also be worse than the tinnitus itself.

  • Medications
  •  The most common drugs used include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and Xanax. Side effects include fast heart rate, weight gain, blurred vision, ringing in ears, poor balance or concentration, and slurred speech to name a few.
  • Surgery
  •  For those experiencing severe tinnitus, this might seem like the last or only option. Medicine is used to “rewire” the body’s system to help stop symptoms. This is the most extreme treatment for tinnitus and is usually considered an option for cases that are rarer such as a tumor, otosclerosis, or cyst. Surgery is not guaranteed to work for each patient.
  • Noise Suppression
  •  Devices are available to help patients with tinnitus tune out the noise. Depending on the severity of your tinnitus, accessories can help provide relief as you go through treatment.

Upper Cervical All-Natural Tinnitus Treatment

While medications, surgery, and noise suppression devices help by targeting symptoms associated with tinnitus, they do not help tackle the underlying problem of what is causing tinnitus. Since tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying problem within the body, it makes sense to go with a treatment that corrects what is causing that initial problem in the body.

Upper cervical treatments continue to be extremely beneficial to those suffering from tinnitus. Many things cause tinnitus; however, it all begins with an issue taking place within the body. Upper cervical adjustments are a type of chiropractic adjustment most of the population is not familiar with. Often when one hears “chiropractic,” they think of cracking backs. Upper cervical is very different from general chiropractic. It relies on exact, gentle adjustments on the upper cervical area of your spine located just underneath the base of your skull.

Although gentle, the adjustments have a huge impact on the body; the upper cervical area of your spine protects the brain stem, and the brain stem supports your brain to body communication. If a misalignment occurs in this area, it could disrupt how your brain stem works and lead to problems in the brain to body communication – leading to the onset of various types of conditions as the body can no longer heal or repair itself properly.

Conditions and complications this disruption of the brain to body communication can lead to include high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disease, otosclerosis, inadequate ear drainage or blockages, other neck or jaw problems, and Meniere’s Disease to name a few. 

Sound familiar? These conditions are listed to have tinnitus as a symptom. There is a strong connection between your body’s health and spinal health as the spine protects your entire nervous system. Your brain stem’s health is vital to how your body reacts to injuries and disease. After an upper cervical adjustment, the pressure placed on the brain stem from the misalignment is released and brain to body communication returns to normal. Because the body can communicate properly after an adjustment, upper cervical treatments have greatly improved the condition of patients suffering from tinnitus even after medication and surgery!

Patients have seen improvements after as little as one adjustment. Depending on the gravity of the misalignment, more adjustments may be needed, and fewer adjustments are made over time as the body continues to heal and become strong enough to hold the adjustment in place.

If you or a loved one were suffering from tinnitus and had no satisfactory relief from medication or surgery, or simply looking for an all-natural treatment for tinnitus, upper cervical adjustments can help no matter the age and without the undesirable side effects.

Categories Tinnitus

What Exactly is Tinnitus?

Today, we want to talk about tinnitus. What exactly is tinnitus. Well, the quick answer is, “It’s ringing in the ears,” right? But where does it come from? What’s the ultimate cause of tinnitus? Why is it I keep getting a ringing in the ears or some high pitched or even low-pitched noises when my ear is perfectly fine? You’ve probably been to the ENT, they probably examined your ear from top to bottom and they say, “There’s nothing wrong with your ear.” But you know that you keep hearing this noise. Maybe it’s one ear more so than the other. Maybe it’s both. Maybe it fluctuates. I know when it’s quiet it’s usually its loudest, right? What we have found at the Upper Cervical Spine Center is that there is nothing wrong with the ear, but somewhere between the ear and the brain, the message is getting changed, getting distorted, and creating the ringing, the tinnitus, the screaming, the whatever it is…the drive-you-crazy noise.What we have found is that there is a nerve that goes from your ear called the vestibular cochlear nerve. It has two branches. The vestibular is the balance part, and then cochlear is the hearing part, and so where those nerves come together to create one nerve right off of the ear and then they go down into the upper part of the neck to the brainstem. There, at the brainstem, they send the message to the brain of hearing. The vestibular part is the balance, and the cochlear part is the hearing. If one side or sometimes even it affects both sides of the nerve, then not only would you have ringing in the ear, maybe fluctuation in hearing, but also some balance issues like Meniere’s Disease, for example. But if it’s just the tinnitus only, then that means it’s only affecting one side of the nerve, which is the hearing side.The normal message enters the ear, the ear interprets it, and converts it into a nerve signal that goes through the nerve to the brain telling the brain what you hear. If you’re hearing this right now, it’s all because of that mechanism, the message, the voice, the sounds that enter the ear, and the ear transmits and converts that sound into nerve messages to the brain. Now, if one of the top two bones called the atlas or axis are out of align to the point that they’re putting pressure on the brainstem, then what happens is that at the point where the nerve goes to the brainstem, to the brain, it gets interfered with. Like stepping on a garden hose, it changes the message, the normal message of hearing from the brain, from the ear to the brain. What happens is your brain interprets something other than what was sent from the ear.In this case, it’s sending a sound of a high pitch or a ringing or some annoying sound that goes to the ear. If we can find the problem and we can remove the pressure at the brainstem, then the message gets normal, and it gets unimpeded. Now how did this happen? It always starts with some sort of physical trauma initially misaligning the bone. That doesn’t mean you have a car wreck or a fall or an injury, and immediately you have tinnitus. But over time, with that pressure that’s there, that brainstem moving can eventually start to create more and more trauma to the area to where it can actually affect the nerves from the ear to the brain. There’s 274 ways in which just the top two bones in your neck can misalign, so everyone’s different. We have to determine exactly which one of those 274 possible misalignments could be creating your tinnitus.

Categories Tinnitus

What to do About Tinnitus?

There are many who suffer from tinnitus who have tried many types of treatments and could not get the relief they desire, which leads many to wonder what to do about tinnitus and how should one start looking for a promising treatment. It is important to know that for a treatment to give you relief it should target what is causing your tinnitus, but the most recommended treatments do not target the cause of your tinnitus at all – leaving you to wonder what to do about tinnitus all over again. Down below we look at the most common methods on what to do about tinnitus and why an all-natural treatment should be considered first.

Medications

The very first thing that comes to mind for those wondering what to do about tinnitus is typically a medication. Medications are commonly known to be the ‘go to’ for those who are in pain or want quick relief from another problem they have having. Medications used to help reduce the severity of tinnitus include tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline) and alprazolam (Xanax). However, just as any other medication, these do produce other side effects that could be worse than the symptoms you experience from tinnitus.

  • Amitriptyline – Side effects from amitriptyline include fast heart rate, weight gain (or loss), low blood pressure while standing, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, sexual dysfunction, and urinary retention. Rarer side effects include hives, hepatitis, rash, and seizures.When a few doses of amitriptyline are missed, withdrawal symptoms can occur. If amitriptyline is discontinued abruptly then headaches, nausea, dizziness, and relentlessness may occur.
  • Nortriptyline – In a study the use of nortriptyline for patients with chronic tinnitus, they have discovered nortriptyline significantly reduced the severity of their depression, tinnitus loudness, and the tinnitus-related disability. Although patients have found the nortriptyline treatment helpful, the patients did not show a huge interest in continuing the treatment due to nortriptyline’s side effects.Nortriptyline side effects include weakness, lack of coordination, unpleasant taste, impotence, decreased sex drive, difficulty having an orgasm, ringing in the ears, breast swelling (in both men and women), tingly feeling, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, fast heart rate, urinary retention, weight gain (or loss) and dizziness when standing.
  • Xanax – Xanax side effects include muscle weakness, vomiting, increased sweating, trouble concentrating, irritability, memory problems, insomnia (sleep problems), dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, swelling in your hands or feet, appetite or weight changes, blurred vision, upset stomach, slurred speech, poor balance or concentration, stuffy nose and loss of interest in intercourse.

In addition, if you are already using any of the above medications, the above medications may also cause ringing in the ears (a sign of tinnitus). Not all the above medications will work for everyone; sometimes the symptoms are relieved while others notice they become worse. If there is no improvement after 6 months of medication use, it is recommended to stop the use of the drugs immediately.

Remember, drugs overall never work to cure the cause of the problem but are created to help provide relief until you can fix it. Because of this, these should not be the main treatment used on what to do about tinnitus.

Surgery

For those who experience severe tinnitus and wonder what to do about tinnitus they have, surgery may seem like their only option in seeing any improvement. Despite surgery being used to “rewire” the body’s system to stop frustrating symptoms, only 40% in a study of 414 patients who had tinnitus surgery have seen some type of improvement. Surgery should not be a first option and is usually considered on more rarer cases such as a tumor, cyst, or otosclerosis – a calcium deposit on the ear bone.

Noise Suppression

As for what to do about tinnitus noise, some devices are available to help suppress the noise that comes from tinnitus. Depending on the severity, these devices may help you find some relief while you wait or go through a more beneficial treatment.

  • Masking Devices – Masking devices are worn in the ear and are quite similar to a hearing aid. These devices will produce a low-level, continuous white noise to help suppress the symptoms of tinnitus.
  • Hearing Aids – Hearing aids are helpful for those who not only have tinnitus but a problem hearing as well.
  • White Noise Machine – White noise machines produce environmental sounds to help drown out symptoms of tinnitus. The environmental sounds include ocean waves, falling rain, and other natural sounds to help the sufferer sleep and stay comfortable. If a white noise machine is out of your reach, there are also white noise apps available for those with tinnitus.
  • Tinnitus Retraining – Tinnitus retraining is a wearable device that delivers tonal music specifically programmed to cover up the exact frequencies you experience with your tinnitus. The user, over time, may end up becoming accustomed to the tinnitus and no longer focusing on it.

Is There an Ideal Treatment for Targeting the Cause of Tinnitus?

Mentioned above are what many believe are the only options on what to do about tinnitus; however, there is an ideal natural treatment that goes after the underlying cause that proves to be extremely beneficial to those who suffer from tinnitus.

As stated earlier, the only way to find ideal relief is to target the underlying cause of your tinnitus. After going over the multiple causes of tinnitus and understanding where it comes from, an all-natural chiropractic treatment for tinnitus begins to make more sense. When we wonder what to do about tinnitus, we don’t necessarily think about considering any type of chiropractic (and upper cervical is not a type of chiropractic many are familiar with).

Upper cervical chiropractic may come as a surprise to be a very beneficial treatment for tinnitus, but the more we learn about upper cervical chiropractic the more we understand the underlying connection it has to tinnitus and why this natural treatment works!

An upper cervical chiropractic treatment for tinnitus targets the underlying cause and allows the patient’s body to heal and repair itself properly; during this time of repairing and healing, the symptoms of tinnitus begin to fade and eventually stop. If you are looking for an all-natural way to treat the cause of your tinnitus that is safe for all ages without worrying about possible side effects, it may be a good time for you to read over why upper cervical chiropractic treatment for tinnitus works, the connection it has to your body, and how it targets the cause of your tinnitus.

See Chiropractic Treatment for Tinnitus and Understand Why it Works.

Categories Tinnitus

Tinnitus in Adults

Tinnitus in adults is just as common as tinnitus in children. There are two types of tinnitus: Objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus. Objective tinnitus can be heard by an examiner and typically occurs from blood flow or muscle movement. The most common type of tinnitus is subjective tinnitus, where the sound is only heard by the person who has tinnitus. About 10% of the general population have subjective tinnitus while the subjective tinnitus in adults over the age of 50 is as many as 30%. When tinnitus in adults lasts for three months or more, it is considered chronic.

What Increases the Risk of Tinnitus in Adults?

Aging is a natural process that could bring about hearing loss, which is a common cause of tinnitus in adults; however, adults may be at a higher risk of developing tinnitus if they have a history of smoking (which could lead to a higher risk of hearing loss), experience high levels of stress (adults experience higher levels of stress than children which increases the severity and risk of tinnitus), consume large amounts of alcohol, or encounter consistent noise exposure at their workplace. There are also some conditions that are linked to the development of tinnitus in adults. Those who have a history of the following can increase the risk of developing tinnitus in adults: 

  • Asthma – Asthma could have an impact on your hearing and lead to the development of tinnitus.
  • Depression – There is a connection between tinnitus and depression. Those diagnosed with depression can see it worsen with tinnitus as tinnitus is known to escalate it. Stress and anxiety can also increase the risk and severity of tinnitus, two factors that are seen in depression.
  • Hyperlipidemia – In hyperlipidemia, your blood has too many lipids (fats), such as triglycerides and cholesterol. Those who are diagnosed with hyperlipidemia who follow a low fat/low cholesterol diet can help reduce their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which in turn can reduce their tinnitus symptoms.
  • Thyroid Disease – Thyroid health affects every cell in the body, with hyperthyroidism (thyroid produces too much thyroxine hormone) and hypothyroidism (does not produce enough of the thyroxine hormone) being linked to hearing loss – overall affecting hearing loss, tinnitus, and your balance).
  • Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis occurs when your protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. Osteoarthritis causes a higher risk of developing middle ear abnormalities and hearing loss – resulting in tinnitus.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis – A symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is worsening hearing loss, which can put you at a higher risk of developing tinnitus.

To see a more complex list of other causes of tinnitus, please see our article on tinnitus causes.

Severity of Tinnitus in Adults

Tinnitus in adults is usually worse than the tinnitus in children. The rate of discomfort from tinnitus is rated highest in the elderly as the phantom noise of tinnitus is found to be louder in patients who are over 40 and tinnitus being rated as catastrophic for those over 60. As we age, our bodies may also have a more difficult time adjusting to the changes of tinnitus. In addition, those who might have experienced tinnitus at a younger age without receiving treatment can have their tinnitus worsen with age since the body was never able to repair or heal the cause of it when they were younger. 

No matter the severity of tinnitus in adults, their body will experience a slower healing process in their tinnitus treatment than children with tinnitus due to their age. Ratings of normal, mild, borderline, moderate, and severe tinnitus are all more common for those ages 40 and above – with the most severe frequency affecting those who are between the ages of 40-60 years old. Because the body heals slower as it matures, it is best to seek a beneficial treatment that can help correct the cause of tinnitus as soon as tinnitus symptoms are noticed.

Tinnitus and Everyday Life for Adults

Tinnitus in adults shows a clear impact on how tinnitus affects an adult’s quality of life. Tinnitus affects a patient more so in terms of stress levels and physical pain, and not so mentally or emotionally. In a study about tinnitus and how it differs among age groups, patients above the age of 40 years had more complaints about the loudness and annoyance of tinnitus as well as having higher stress and severity scores. Tinnitus was also noted to be louder in patients who were above the age of 40 years. What kind of impact does this have on their day to day lives?

As a parent, it could take away time from your children or spouse and increase stress on the entire family. As irritation arises from having tinnitus, communication is not always easy due to the increased levels of stress tinnitus brings about which can change up your behavior and the phantom noises can get in the way of speaking or hearing clearly. 

When it comes to work, tinnitus can interrupt your focus and get in the way of thinking clearly – making your job even more stressful. If your job is constantly around loud noises, it is the perfect setup for making your tinnitus worse. About 23 percent of adults keep their tinnitus to themselves, fearing it could negatively affect their future employment opportunities. Other adults with tinnitus felt that their employers or co-workers were incapable of understanding tinnitus. This often makes them feel alone and stress about their performance when compared to other workers and there have been reports of tinnitus becoming so uncomfortable that sufferers have left their jobs.

As adults, we have more responsibilities to handle and tinnitus in adults can stop one from being productive and moving forward. A dysfunction in an adult’s life can cause a dysfunction in many other aspects such as family, career, and relationships that may greatly change and affect their quality of life. If you or a loved one is suffering from tinnitus, it may be time to consider an all-natural chiropractic treatment for tinnitus as it has been shown to be extremely beneficial for improving and eliminating tinnitus in adults.

Categories Tinnitus

Tinnitus Symptoms

The most common type of tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sound while there is no external sound present (this is called subjective tinnitus). The sounds associated with subjective tinnitus are often referred to as “phantom noises” as the sound comes from the inside and no one except for the sufferer can hear it. In rarer cases, one might have objective tinnitus, where someone else may be able to hear the same sound you are hearing – this is referred to as objective tinnitus and may be caused by a blood vessel problem, muscle contractions or a middle ear bone condition.

Some tinnitus symptoms can change and intertwine as well. Noises heard can often sound like air escaping, crickets, the inside of a seashell, running water, or musical notes.

Below is a list of tinnitus symptoms for the most common type of tinnitus (subjective tinnitus).

Subjective Tinnitus Symptoms

  • Buzzing – A sound that fades in and out quickly.
  • Whistling – A continuous high-pitch sound or a sound as if wind is passing through.
  • Roaring – Deeper sound that can sometimes sound a bit like an animal.
  • Hissing – Can sometimes come off as sounding a little “fuzzy,” also sound as if air is escaping.
  • Heartbeat – If you hear an amplified sound of your heartbeat in your ears, this is referred to as pulsatile tinnitus. This occurs when there is a blood vessel problem, such as having high blood pressure, blockage in the ear canal or the eustachian tube, and an aneurysm or a tumor.
  • Humming or Rushing (Whoosh) – Mostly noticeable while exercising or changing position; for instance, when you go from lying down to standing up.
  • High-Pitched Ringing – Often sounding like a teapot, experiencing a high-pitched ringing phantom noise as a tinnitus symptom is most commonly from a loud noise or blow to the ear. High-pitched ringing, or a high-pitched buzzing, can disappear within a few hours; however, if hearing loss occurs at the same time, it could become permanent tinnitus. There are also a few other causes of tinnitus that are associated with high-pitched ringing as a tinnitus symptom.
  • Low-Pitched Ringing – Conditions like Meniere’s disease can cause you to experience a low-pitched ringing noise in one ear. Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disease that usually affects one ear and can cause extreme cases of dizziness or vertigo. Tinnitus may become louder before you experience a vertigo attack where your surroundings feel as if they are spinning or moving. Stiff inner ear bones, known as otosclerosis, may also cause low-pitched tinnitus symptoms (these tinnitus symptoms triggered by otosclerosis can be either ongoing or every now and then).

These phantom noises may come and go or be consistent. These phantom noises can range in pitch from being very low to becoming a high squeal. There are times where these tinnitus symptoms can become so loud to the person with tinnitus that it can interfere with their daily lives, including their ability to concentrate and hear other external sounds. Tinnitus symptoms may also occur in either one or both ears.

Objective Tinnitus Symptoms

Objective tinnitus symptoms are from a physical occurrence and may be audible to others. Below are a few objective tinnitus symptoms:

  • Clicking – Hearing a clicking sound as a tinnitus symptom is usually from muscle contractions in and around your ear. The muscle contractions create these sharp clicking noises you ear and appear in bursts, lasting between a few seconds up to a few minutes.
  • Cervical Venous Hum – A murmur heard in the anterior neck and sometimes in the upper chest. This cervical venous hum appears louder as you sit with your head extended and becomes softer, or sometimes absent, with a rotation or bending of the head or while applying light pressure over the person’s jugular vein as they are sitting or lying flat.
  • Nasal Breathing – If your objective tinnitus occurs with a difference in nasal breathing at the same time then it could be associated with the eustachian tube (a canal connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx, consisting of the upper throat and back of your nasal cavity). The eustachian tube controls the pressure in the middle ear and makes it equal to the pressure outside of your body. This nasal breathing alongside your tinnitus can gradually disappear as you lie down and transition to sniffling, snorting or a Valsalva maneuver (a specific way of breathing that increases pressure on the chest and causes different effects within the body such as blood pressure and heart rate). 

If any of these symptoms occur, it is highly recommended that you seek out a professional as soon as possible:

  • Sudden tinnitus without an apparent cause
  • Hearing loss that occurs with the tinnitus
  • Dizziness accompanied with the tinnitus

The most common tinnitus symptoms are temporary (typically 48 hours), but if you experience any of the above tinnitus symptoms continuously looking into an all-natural tinnitus treatment will help improve your symptoms and even eradicate them.

For those who may have felt sudden tinnitus symptoms to occur without a known cause of tinnitus, develop hearing loss alongside their tinnitus, or experience dizziness during any of the tinnitus symptoms then there could be a serious cause of the tinnitus symptoms they are having.

Tinnitus symptoms occur for a reason and the reason could be either mild or severe. Whether your tinnitus symptoms came from a small event or a more serious experience, tinnitus symptoms can be improved without the use of medication and surgery.

It is also highly recommended that an all-natural tinnitus treatment is considered before trying medication, as medications do not only cause various side effects, but can contribute to worsening the tinnitus symptoms as well and they do not target the underlying cause of tinnitus.

Categories Tinnitus

Tinnitus Causes

There are a large variety of tinnitus causes and some could be less serious than others; however, knowing the cause of your tinnitus can help you understand why it’s happening and why it’s important to receive a treatment you may need.

Below is a list of tinnitus causes and how they play a part in its development:

  • Head and Neck Injury – An injury to the head or neck is one of the tinnitus causes. These injuries can cause problems with your nerves, blood flow and surrounding muscles which can lead to tinnitus and often be accompanied with headaches and memory issues. It is important to see a doctor after experiencing a head or neck injury as those who suffer from an injury to the head or neck may begin to have severe tinnitus. When dealing with severe tinnitus, the sufferer can have trouble relaxing, thinking clearly, remembering, and sleeping.
  • Ear and Sinus Infections – A middle ear problem, such as ear infections, is a tinnitus cause as it is a disruption. Ear infections are typically bacterial or viral infections which affect the middle ear (the air-filled space behind your eardrum containing tiny vibrating bones of the ear).

Sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, is an inflammation or swelling of tissue lining your sinuses which can lead to ear congestion.

  • Traumatic Brain Injury – Traumatic brain injury can cause auditory dysfunction. This tinnitus cause is also found to produce louder tinnitus symptoms than other tinnitus causes.
  • Diabetes – Sometimes tinnitus can be a symptom of a medical condition. Hearing loss is twice as common in those diagnosed with diabetes than those who do not have the disease. There is a chance for high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes to damage small blood vessels within the inner ear just as diabetes can damage kidneys and the eyes.
  • Cardiovascular Diseases – Having a cardiovascular disease may be a cause of your tinnitus. Cardiovascular disease and poor circulation are a tinnitus cause because of the blood flow to the inner ear being reduced or cut off.
  • Foreign Object or Earwax Touching the Eardrum – Pressure can change how the eardrum vibrates and result in tinnitus. It is not unusual for excessive earwax to be the cause of tinnitus. Having too much production of earwax regularly could be a result of an upper cervical misalignment, where the body is getting inadequate signals of how much fluid to drain and wax to produce because of a compressed brainstem.
  • Eustachian Tube Problems – The Eustachian tube plays an important role in regulating the cavity of the middle ear and contributes to voice modulation. This tube also equalizes the air pressure. If there is an issue with the Eustachian tube where it cannot function properly, it can lead to causing tinnitus.
  • Stiffening of the Middle Ear Bones – Otosclerosis, the stiffening of the middle ear bones, is an abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear. This prevents structures in your ear from working properly and causes hearing loss. Because the structures of your ear cannot function properly, it can become another tinnitus cause. Modifications in the central auditory pathway that otosclerosis causes are linked to tinnitus.
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) – TMJ sufferers have a higher chance of developing tinnitus due to either the muscles around the temporomandibular joint affecting your hearing and promoting the tinnitus, a direct connection between the ligaments attached to the jaw and one of the hearing bones inside the middle ear, or the nerve supply from the temporomandibular joint that connects to parts of the brain and distorts the interpretation of sound. TMJ can also worsen tinnitus in those who had it before TMJ was developed.

There are also a few risk factors that can contribute to a higher risk of developing tinnitus. These risk factors include the following:

Noise Exposure – Noise exposure is the most common of all tinnitus causes. Consistent noise exposure from work, using headphones, attending concerts, loud explosives and such will contribute to increasing the chances of developing tinnitus. 

Occupational work exposure has significant effects on tinnitus and auditory fatigue as those who work in loud settings are being exposed to damaging noise constantly. It is important to take preventative actions to protecting your ears while at work to lower the risk of hearing damage and tinnitus.

Short-term tinnitus may occur after a concert or loud event, but long-term exposure to loud noises will eventually cause permanent damage and can lead to one having permanent tinnitus.

Smoking – Smoking is strongly linked to tinnitus, along with dizziness and vertigo. Teens who are exposed to cigarette smoke have a higher risk of developing hearing loss (up to two to three times more at risk than those who have had little to no smoke exposure).

Nicotine in cigarettes can make tinnitus worse as smoking can narrow your blood vessels that bring oxygen to your ears and cause your blood pressure to rise. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, smokers are 70% more likely to suffer from hearing loss compared to non-smokers. In this same study, they found passive smoking could cause hearing loss as well with non-smokers who live with someone who smokes to be 1.94 times more likely to suffer from hearing problems than those who were not living with a smoker. (Cigarette Smoking and Hearing Loss – The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study)

Hearing Loss – Only one third of all people who suffer from hearing loss will develop tinnitus, but hearing loss does increase the risk of developing tinnitus since the ear itself is already weakened. Most researchers have agreed tinnitus starts because of the brain trying to recover its ability to hear sound frequencies it has lost by increasing the signals of nearby frequencies.

It was also mentioned perhaps those who develop tinnitus that will not go away do not have a limbic system strong enough to eliminate those sounds.

Gender – Males have a higher chance of developing tinnitus than females. Part may be due to the fact more males work in louder professions and high hearing-risk behaviors such as motorsports or hunting.

Age – As we age, we are more at risk of developing tinnitus as our hearing changes.

Is There an All-Natural Tinnitus Treatment?

No matter the tinnitus cause, there is still an all-natural tinnitus treatment to improve the symptoms associated with tinnitus or eradicate it completely. This is because tinnitus has been shown to have a strong link to the upper cervical spine. Many patients have had great results in an upper cervical all-natural tinnitus treatment all because it targets the underlying cause of not only tinnitus, but the condition that causes it.

Medication and surgery for tinnitus focus on tinnitus symptoms to help you find relief while the underlying issue continues to worsen. Upper cervical treatments are very gentle on the body and involve precise adjustments, making them an all-natural tinnitus treatment that is safe for any age.

Categories Tinnitus

Understanding Tinnitus

Understanding tinnitus is the first step on knowing exactly what it is, how it affects the person who has tinnitus and why it plays an important part on understanding what may be going on in our body. Tinnitus can take a toll on one’s lifestyle and day to day routine. Sometimes it can be a minor annoyance while other times it can worsen to become something much greater. Everyone is at risk of developing tinnitus and those who are constantly around certain environments or have specific health conditions are at a greater risk of developing tinnitus.
Many entertainers, such as Will.i.Am (Black Eye Peas), Eric Clapton, Chris Martin (Coldplay) and James Hetfield (Metallica) have battled with tinnitus that have most likely been due to their careers of being constantly around an atmosphere with loud noises. In Eric Clapton’s case, he has announced having tinnitus and is going deaf. Tinnitus is an indication there is a problem in the ear; this is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong, and tinnitus is a signal to your body that allows you to be aware of your current condition and gives you a chance to address it before it worsens over time.
Despite hearing ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, clicking, whooshing, roaring or any other noise, tinnitus is not a sound at all! Sounds are from airwaves that push on the eardrums and send out electrical signals to your brain, while tinnitus is from irregular electrical activity in the brain. There are many who do not know tinnitus even exists until they experience the symptoms and wonder what’s going on.
How Life Changes with Tinnitus
It is important that when learning about tinnitus you take time in understanding tinnitus in those who are affected and live with it. Tinnitus is not easy to live with and can affect a person’s daily life. Tinnitus can bring about discomfort and reduce a person’s ability to focus. Sounds that result from having tinnitus can be heard consistently every day and appear louder as it worsens, making some feel as if they are slowly going insane or become fearful over the thought of having an even more serious medical condition. Since tinnitus is a silent condition to where only the sufferer hears it, many people who do not have tinnitus may overlook the condition as not being such a problem and the sufferer often feels alone. Those who are diagnosed with depression may have an increased risk of developing suicidal thoughts if they are also diagnosed with tinnitus as the stress of depression does increase the severity of tinnitus and makes it extremely challenging – with reports of those who can no longer sleep because of the loud noise.
The lack of control one has over their tinnitus symptoms can result in the sufferer to experience fear which intensifies the issue. With an estimation of 40 to 50 million Americans suffering from tinnitus, about 2 million are incredibly hampered by it that they are unable to function on a normal day-to-day basis. Daily things such as stress, lack of challenging or meaningful activities, unemployment, lack of sleep and quiet time can cause the sufferer to pay more attention to their tinnitus – making it more of an issue. Since the sound happens inside the head and not from an external factor, it’s very difficult to tune it out.
A change in emotional reactions is another way a sufferer’s life changes with tinnitus. The sound can at first be extremely distracting and as it continues can turn into an annoyance. Those who live with the persistent sound can become frustrated, worried, and angry with some reports of it triggering anxiety and depression. Simple things such as reading, writing, studying, problem-solving or learning can become challenging and because of the noise indirectly affecting the way a sufferer may hear things, tinnitus can affect their ability to communicate with others.
Temporary Tinnitus vs Permanent Tinnitus
Tinnitus itself is usually not serious but is a symptom of an underlying condition. Because of this, there is a large range of health issues tinnitus can be associated with. Sometimes tinnitus can be a symptom that only appears for a short amount of time (temporary tinnitus) before it disappears, this usually happens after concerts or other events around a lot of loud noise. When tinnitus occurs often or consistently, a check up with a professional is recommended.
Knowing the different causes of temporary tinnitus vs permanent tinnitus and the signs of temporary tinnitus vs permanent tinnitus will help you understand when you should seek out help or how to take precautions to help prevent tinnitus as temporary tinnitus could eventually lead to permanent tinnitus. The difference between what causes temporary tinnitus and what causes permanent tinnitus varies and could be either sudden or gradual.
Conditions Associated with Tinnitus

Understanding tinnitus is the first step on knowing exactly what it is, how it affects the person who has tinnitus and why it plays an important part on understanding what may be going on in our body. Tinnitus can take a toll on one’s lifestyle and day to day routine. Sometimes it can be a minor annoyance while other times it can worsen to become something much greater. Everyone is at risk of developing tinnitus and those who are constantly around certain environments or have specific health conditions are at a greater risk of developing tinnitus.

Many entertainers, such as Will.i.Am (Black Eye Peas), Eric Clapton, Chris Martin (Coldplay) and James Hetfield (Metallica) have battled with tinnitus that have most likely been due to their careers of being constantly around an atmosphere with loud noises. In Eric Clapton’s case, he has announced having tinnitus and is going deaf. Tinnitus is an indication there is a problem in the ear; this is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong, and tinnitus is a signal to your body that allows you to be aware of your current condition and gives you a chance to address it before it worsens over time.

Despite hearing ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, clicking, whooshing, roaring or any other noise, tinnitus is not a sound at all! Sounds are from airwaves that push on the eardrums and send out electrical signals to your brain, while tinnitus is from irregular electrical activity in the brain. There are many who do not know tinnitus even exists until they experience the symptoms and wonder what’s going on.

How Life Changes with Tinnitus

It is important that when learning about tinnitus you take time in understanding tinnitus in those who are affected and live with it. Tinnitus is not easy to live with and can affect a person’s daily life. Tinnitus can bring about discomfort and reduce a person’s ability to focus. Sounds that result from having tinnitus can be heard consistently every day and appear louder as it worsens, making some feel as if they are slowly going insane or become fearful over the thought of having an even more serious medical condition. Since tinnitus is a silent condition to where only the sufferer hears it, many people who do not have tinnitus may overlook the condition as not being such a problem and the sufferer often feels alone. Those who are diagnosed with depression may have an increased risk of developing suicidal thoughts if they are also diagnosed with tinnitus as the stress of depression does increase the severity of tinnitus and makes it extremely challenging – with reports of those who can no longer sleep because of the loud noise.

The lack of control one has over their tinnitus symptoms can result in the sufferer to experience fear which intensifies the issue. With an estimation of 40 to 50 million Americans suffering from tinnitus, about 2 million are incredibly hampered by it that they are unable to function on a normal day-to-day basis. Daily things such as stress, lack of challenging or meaningful activities, unemployment, lack of sleep and quiet time can cause the sufferer to pay more attention to their tinnitus – making it more of an issue. Since the sound happens inside the head and not from an external factor, it’s very difficult to tune it out.

A change in emotional reactions is another way a sufferer’s life changes with tinnitus. The sound can at first be extremely distracting and as it continues can turn into an annoyance. Those who live with the persistent sound can become frustrated, worried, and angry with some reports of it triggering anxiety and depression. Simple things such as reading, writing, studying, problem-solving or learning can become challenging and because of the noise indirectly affecting the way a sufferer may hear things, tinnitus can affect their ability to communicate with others.

Temporary Tinnitus vs Permanent Tinnitus

Tinnitus itself is usually not serious but is a symptom of an underlying condition. Because of this, there is a large range of health issues tinnitus can be associated with. Sometimes tinnitus can be a symptom that only appears for a short amount of time (temporary tinnitus) before it disappears, this usually happens after concerts or other events around a lot of loud noise. When tinnitus occurs often or consistently, a check up with a professional is recommended.

Knowing the different causes of temporary tinnitus vs permanent tinnitus and the signs of temporary tinnitus vs permanent tinnitus will help you understand when you should seek out help or how to take precautions to help prevent tinnitus as temporary tinnitus could eventually lead to permanent tinnitus. The difference between what causes temporary tinnitus and what causes permanent tinnitus varies and could be either sudden or gradual.

Conditions Associated with Tinnitus

There are quite a range of conditions are associated with tinnitus. Some conditions are less serious than others but because the range of conditions associated with tinnitus vary, it is best to seek out a professional when you begin to have reoccurring symptoms of tinnitus. Remember, tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition so when your body sends you these signals that something in the body is not right, it is best to play it safe as the condition associated with tinnitus could be fully healed or improved faster in the early stages.

What Makes Tinnitus Worse?

Believe it or not, there are simple things that can make tinnitus worse. Making small changes from daily things that are known to make tinnitus worse can allow some type of relief. If you or a loved one lives with tinnitus, there are a few things that could help stop the tinnitus from feeling worse while you are undergoing a treatment or waiting on a treatment to begin. From diet to daily activities, understanding what can make tinnitus worse will help you or a loved one who has tinnitus feel a little more at ease.

Categories Tinnitus

Tinnitus and Upper Cervical Care Treatment

If you have a continuous ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, clicking, whooshing, roaring or even a noise that beats along with your pulse then these sounds could be symptoms of hearing damage called tinnitus. About 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus with the symptoms ranging from being a mild annoyance to becoming extremely provoking. As of now, there is no cure for tinnitus; however, there may be a natural holistic treatment that can help heal the underlying cause – allowing one to finally be rid of their tinnitus.

Upper Cervical chiropractic does not admit to cure anything, but instead allows the body to heal itself. It is during this healing and repairing process where many chronic issues and once deemed “incurable” conditions end up going away. Tinnitus is one of the conditions many patients report have disappeared after they received an Upper Cervical chiropractic treatment. The question is, why and how does it begin to disappear after such a treatment?

Understanding Tinnitus

In order to understand why Upper Cervical works in battling against tinnitus, we need to take time in understanding tinnitus and its severity: Where does it come from? What is the connection between tinnitus and the Upper Cervical area of our bodies? Understanding tinnitus will allow you to see what an impact it can make on your life or a loved one’s life and why it is important to seek a treatment that can help improve the symptoms or eradicate them completely. If you or someone you know is battling tinnitus, take time understanding tinnitus and develop a connection to understand what a tinnitus sufferer goes through and how a simple treatment can change lives.

Tinnitus Symptoms

Tinnitus symptoms caught early on can help stop the progression of tinnitus before it becomes more severe. Your hearing could be temporarily or permanently damaged, depending on the severity of tinnitus; because of this, knowing the tinnitus symptoms will allow you to catch it when it begins. If you or a loved one have any of the tinnitus symptoms and have had them for quite some time, there is still a way you can improve your tinnitus symptoms or be rid of your tinnitus symptoms completely with an all-natural, holistic, treatment. 

Tinnitus Causes

There are many tinnitus causes to be aware about. Discover all types of tinnitus causes and pinpoint what may have been the leading cause of tinnitus for you or a loved one. Tinnitus causes can range from outside factors or the body’s current state of health. Knowing different tinnitus causes will help develop a connection as to why certain treatments work and why others do not.

What to do About Tinnitus?

Those who have tinnitus may be lost as to what to do about tinnitus. While there are many suggestions on what to do about tinnitus, we should be considering all-natural treatments before placing more stress on our bodies with medication or surgery. What to do about tinnitus should not be difficult or lead one stuck in a maze that leads straight to unnatural procedures; instead, we should learn how to target the actual cause, strengthen the body’s healing and repairing process, and stop focusing on just the symptoms. 

Tinnitus in Adults

Tinnitus in adults differ from tinnitus in children. As we become more mature, our bodies change and adapt to our habits and lifestyle. Depending on the severity of tinnitus, tinnitus in adults may take longer to heal but it is not considered impossible. Many adult patients have felt a great improvement with Upper Cervical treatments for their tinnitus, but how does the battle of tinnitus in adults differ from children and why is it important for adults with tinnitus to seek help? Tinnitus in adults should not be ignored and luckily there is a natural treatment out there that can still make a huge improvement on adults with severe tinnitus.

Tinnitus in Children

Believe it or not, you can see signs of tinnitus in children even if they do not speak of it. Tinnitus in children can become severe and as children they may never complain of it; in fact, tinnitus in children is just as common as tinnitus in adults. If you learn how to discover tinnitus in children, you can help reduce or eliminate their tinnitus before it progresses even more. 

Chiropractic Tinnitus Diagnostic

How does a chiropractic tinnitus diagnostic work? Chiropractors can, too, see when a patient is having an issue with tinnitus. If the patient does well to hide signs of their tinnitus or does not know of tinnitus, chiropractic tinnitus diagnostic is still possible. Many patients with tinnitus have discovered Upper Cervical chiropractors to be a huge help in their tinnitus relief and few did not know their symptoms were an indication of tinnitus until a chiropractic tinnitus diagnostic. If you are unsure if you have tinnitus, finding an Upper Cervical chiropractor for a chiropractic tinnitus diagnostic could be the best choice in discovering if you have it, the underlying cause of it and the severity of the tinnitus.

Chiropractic Treatment for Tinnitus

Chiropractic treatment for tinnitus is not unheard of, in fact it has helped many people who have battled tinnitus. Not only is a chiropractic treatment for tinnitus an all-natural way to improve the symptoms and target the underlying cause of tinnitus, but it provides other benefits to your health as well! Many medications and surgeries end up unsuccessful or loaded with side effects that will only put more stress on your body’s current condition. A chiropractic treatment for tinnitus works with your body instead of forcing it to change a certain way. Forcing the body to change its condition can weaken other aspects of the body, putting you at risk of other conditions. For this reason, it is best to understand what a chiropractic treatment for tinnitus does for the body and why it should be a first option before trying a medication or surgery.

Categories Tinnitus

Ringing in the Ear (Tinnitus) and What to do About it

Tinnitus is a ringing in the ear, or a buzzing, and is a common issue that affects about 1 in 5 people. Note that tinnitus can be both ear ringing and clogged feeling in the ear. Tinnitus is not a condition, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. To understand what these underlying conditions are and the ear ringing meaning, we need to pay attention to what causes severe ear ringing and how to stop it.

What Causes Severe Ear Ringing?

When it comes to tinnitus, there are a few things that can cause this ringing in the ear. Some of the answers behind the tinnitus ear ringing meaning include the following: 

  • Inner Ear Cell Damage – There are many tiny, delicate hairs in your inner ear that will move in relation to the pressure of sound waves. When this happens, ear cells release an electrical signal through the auditory nerve (located in your ear) to your brain. Your brain takes these signals and interprets them as sounds. If your hairs inside of the inner ear are damaged, it will cause them to “leak” random electrical signals to your brain, causing the ringing in ears.
  • Exposure to Loud Noise – When you are exposed to too much loud noise, it can lead to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss. Music devices, like an MP3 player or an iPod, can cause noise-related hearing loss if they are played loudly for long periods of time. If you experience ear ringing and clogged feeling in your ear caused by experiencing loud noises for a short amount of time, such as attending a loud concert, this will usually go away; however, long-term exposure of loud noise can cause permanent damage to your ears. 
  • Earwax Blockage – Earwax helps protect your ear canals by trapping dirt and slowing growth of bacteria. Having too much earwax, however, will make it difficult for earwax to wash away naturally. This buildup of earwax can cause hearing loss or irritate your eardrums which may lead to tinnitus.
  • Age-Related Hearing Loss – It is very common for people’s hearing to get worse with age, usually around the age of 60. This type of hearing loss is called presbycusis and is a common cause of tinnitus.

Other causes of tinnitus that are not as common as above include the following:

  • Acoustic Neuroma – Acoustic neuroma, a condition also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a noncancerous tumor developed on the cranial nerve running from the brain to the inner ear. This condition normally causes tinnitus in only one ear.
  • TMJ Disorders – Those who have TMJ disorders may end up having tinnitus. The temporomandibular joint, located on both sides of the head in front of the ears, can cause tinnitus.
  • Menieres Disease – Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that could be caused by abnormal fluid pressure in the inner ear. Tinnitus can actually be an early sign of having this disease.
  • Head Injuries and Neck Injuries – Any head or neck trauma could affect your inner ear, your hearing nerves or even brain function linked to your hearing. These injuries can cause tinnitus to appear in one ear.

Is There a Tinnitus Cure?

Tinnitus is a symptom – not a condition, so it is important to treat it as a symptom. What this means, is to not focus solely on the ear, but focus on the underlying cause: Age related hearing loss is a result of the degeneration of sensory cells, Meniere’s disease is from an abnormal fluid buildup and, of course, permanent damage to your ears could be from too much exposure from loud noise. Now that we look at the underlying causes, to cure tinnitus we need to correct what is causing it in the first place. If these problems can be corrected, there is a tinnitus ear ringing cure. Surgeries that are made to get rid of tinnitus are not always correcting these causes, only the symptom (tinnitus). Keep in mind if you get rid of just the symptom, the issue is still there getting worse over time.

Natural Tinnitus Treatment

Before jumping into surgery, it is best to see if your body can fight tinnitus naturally and safely. Using upper cervical treatment as a safe tinnitus ear ringing cure has shown great success and has for various reasons: Upper cervical adjustments correct your body’s communication to help cell growth which aid in healing your damaged ears from loud noises and helping you maintain sensory cells, improve your bodily functions such as correcting excessive buildup, and improves blood flow which has also been linked with Meniere’s disease. 

In a case study involving 139 patients who were medically diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, 97% of these patients have seen a significant improvement in their symptoms after an upper cervical chiropractic treatment. In addition, chiropractors are aware of the correlation between upper cervical spine dysfunction and neuro-otological symptoms, including tinnitus and sudden hearing loss. (Michael T. BurconBPh)

When it comes to loud noises, damage to the eardrum commonly occurs after but can usually heal itself. After a loud noise, symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ear) will often go away within 16 to 48 hours or a week or two if the noises were extreme. These noises can damage cells and membranes in the cochlea and if loud noises are listened to for a long time, they can overwork hair cells in your ear and cause those cells to die. Harmful effects can continue even after the exposure to loud noises has stopped. To help your ears heal and to quicken the healing process, upper cervical adjustments are recommended as they help make sure your body functions the way it should to fight these types of disturbances by distributing proper blood flow and body communication on cell production.

The upper cervical area of the spine is in the neck region and consists of the atlas and the axis bones. When the atlas is misaligned, this can affect the structures of your ear, including the Eustachian tubes. The Eustachian tubes drain excess fluid from the ears; however, if the tube function is repressed, this can cause fluid buildup and tinnitus. This means even if the ringing in the ears is caused by a blockage the underlying problem may still be in your neck. 

Drugs cannot cure tinnitus and surgeries are not a guarantee your tinnitus will be improved. Surgical treatment includes destructive procedures, neurectomies, stapedectomies and tympanosympathectomies. In a case study of 414 patients who had surgical removal of acoustic tumors, only 40% saw an improvement in their tinnitus. 68 patients who underwent translabyrinthine eighth nerve section, 80% had tinnitus preoperatively. Improvement occurred in 45% of patients while 55% reported their tinnitus was the same or worse. As for Stapedectomy, hearing improved in most patients, but the symptom of tinnitus was improved in only about half of the patients. (House JW) Because of the risks involved in different drug side effects or surgery with no guarantee of success, it is recommended to try a more natural treatment first. Upper cervical adjustments help correct the cause of tinnitus and could be the tinnitus cure you need.