Tinnitus presents differently in many people. For some, the noise is subtle and doesn’t really interrupt your life until you start paying attention to it. In other people, the levels of noise will differ depending on various stressors and factors such as sleep deprivation. If you’re under treatment or management of tinnitus, skipping your therapies can also make the condition worse.
Over time, tinnitus can get worse, and the noise can get louder. However, in some instances, you may notice that it gets louder and then goes back to normal. This guide looks at the factors that could contribute to your tinnitus getting louder.
What Causes Tinnitus to Get Louder?
At London Hearing, we assess and speak to many clients who complain about their tinnitus getting louder. However, in many situations, the condition doesn't just get louder; there are factors that we identify that make it worse, creating the perception of a louder sound.
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause that could be making your tinnitus get louder, but these are the most common factors and aggravators of the condition.
Loud Noises
The ringing in your ears can be made worse by sounds. It is one of the most obvious causes of tinnitus getting louder. Loud noises from machinery and headphones can cause your tinnitus to get worse temporarily.
You can remedy this by moving farther away from the noise or wearing our custom-made safety earplugs to protect the structures of the ear from the loud noises in your surroundings. You can also turn down the volume or try to stay in more silent environments to avoid aggravating the condition.
Medicine
If you've recently started taking medications and you notice your tinnitus has gotten worse, it could be a side effect from the medication that is making your tinnitus louder. There is a list of medications that are known to cause and aggravate tinnitus. This includes cancer drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammation drugs, diuretics, and high doses of aspirin. Ideally, the higher your dose, the greater your chances of your tinnitus getting louder.
If you stop taking the medications, the symptoms may subside. If you’re certain it is the medication, you should check with your doctor to confirm they are the cause and possibly get replacements. But you should not stop taking any drug without talking to your healthcare provider first.
Stress
Stress can make the ringing in your ear seem louder. You should find ways to relax and get it under control. You should try exercising, deep breathing, or biofeedback. Other methods of stress relief that have also been found to help include massage or acupuncture.
If you have trouble doing it alone, your doctor may be able to suggest some relaxation tips that will help you calm down and possibly reduce your tinnitus.
Jaw Problems
Your jaw, or the temporomandibular joint, as it is more technically known, shares nerves and ligaments with your middle ear. This means that problems in this joint may affect and cause pain and noise in your inner ear.
Your jaw might pop or even hurt when you talk or chew. If this is the case, you should see a dentist, oral surgeon, or otolaryngologist to diagnose and treat the problem to keep the ringing from getting worse. In cases where the TMJ is an issue, your ringing might get worse when the jaw is in action.
Earwax
Earwax is a very common but least expected culprit among clients with worsened tinnitus. Earwax is naturally produced in the ear to trap dirt and protect the ears. However, ineffective cleaning techniques or overproduction of earwax cause it to accumulate and block the ear, which causes various problems. This leads to ringing and temporary hearing loss.
When you visit us, an audiologist will examine your ear and check whether you need an earwax removal procedure. If there's a buildup, the audiologist will use gentle and effective micro-suction earwax removal processes to clear the wax. You should not try to use cotton swabs to remove the earwax, as it could make the condition worse and cause impartation.
Infection
Infections can worsen ear ringing in two ways: directly affecting the ear and through medication.
You might notice that your ringing gets worse not long after you’ve had a cold. If that’s the reason, the ringing should reduce after the infection clears. If you’re taking any medication to fight the infection, it could also contribute to your tinnitus getting louder.
Sinus and ear infections, which are unfortunately quite common
, are common infections that could cause your tinnitus to get louder.
Common allergies, as well as some allergy treatments, can also worsen tinnitus. You may need to change your medication or see an allergist for advice.
Lifestyle
Some lifestyle choices can make your tinnitus worse. Smoking, alcohol, and irregular sleep patterns can impact your tinnitus condition. Alcohol can boost your blood pressure, making the ringing more noticeable. The active compounds in smoking, like nicotine, can narrow the blood vessels that bring oxygen to your ears, causing the blood pressure to go up and making the ringing more noticeable.
Coffee and cola can also raise your blood pressure, which can make the ringing worse. Cutting back or quitting these vices altogether can help with tinnitus and make the condition better for you.
Depression and Anxiety
When your depression and anxiety get worse, you may notice that the sounds also seem to get louder. This can also be aggravated by some of the medications you take to treat the condition. Because having tinnitus can contribute to how you feel, doctors should try to find ways to help you better manage your condition without making your tinnitus worse.
Other lesser-known and understood issues, such as thyroid issues, anemia, and even autoimmune conditions, could worsen the ringing in your ear. Because of the underlying issues, it is essential to get to the bottom of what could be causing your tinnitus to get worse because it could be a signal that not all is well in your body.