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Ear Disorders

Which people are most at risk of developing Tinnitus?

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Tinnitus can be described as a buzzing, ringing, humming, hissing or chirping sound and can be variable and complex. Objective tinnitus is typically pulsatile (synchronous with the heartbeat) or intermittent. Tinnitus is best perceived in a quiet environment and in the absence of competing stimuli, and thus often seems worse at bedtime.

What you need to know about Calminax

Tinnitus can be intermittent or continuous. Continuous tinnitus is at best annoying and often very distressing. Some patients adapt better to its presence than others; depression can sometimes result. Stress usually makes tinnitus worse.

Tinnitus’ risk factors

There are many risk factors for tinnitus: excessive exposure to noise, physical activity, use of certain medications, stress…

  • Excessive exposure to noise
    The inner ear is lined with several thousand hearing cells. These cells are fragile and, once destroyed, cannot regenerate. These cells are equipped with vibratory cilia, whose function is to transmit sound vibration. When loud sounds are perceived by the ear, these cilia lower and then straighten after a while. However, regular exposure to too many decibels (dB) eventually leads to permanent damage to the hearing cells and their vibrating cilia. It can also happen that a single exposure to a particularly violent sound (e.g. the detonation of a rifle or a firecracker) close to the ear causes irreversible damage to the hearing cells. This causes permanent hearing damage and can therefore lead to tinnitus.
  • Physical activity
    Physical activity and head movements increase pulsatile tinnitus.
  • Use of certain medications
    When taken for a long time, certain medications can cause tinnitus. These include: high doses of acetylsalicylic acid, anti-malarials such as quinine, some diuretics such as furosemide, various chemotherapy drugs and some antibiotics.

Note: resistance to the adverse effects of noise and drugs varies greatly from person to person.

  • Stress
    Stress is not a risk factor for tinnitus, but it can increase the perception of tinnitus and thus worsen its impact on quality of life.

People at risk of Tinnitus

  • Elderly people: ageing often causes a deterioration of the hearing mechanisms, which can lead to the appearance of tinnitus;
  • Men: they are more affected than women by this type of symptom;
  • People exposed to noise:
    • people working in an industrial environment;
    • truck drivers and all those whose profession requires them to use a car frequently;
    • car mechanics;
    • construction workers;
    • soldiers in conflict zones;
    • musicians;
    • residents of densely populated cities;
    • people who regularly go to discos, nightclubs, concert halls and raves, or who listen to music at high volume with their walkman or MP3 player.

How to prevent Tinnitus?

Beware of noise

Avoid unnecessary and frequent exposure to very high or even moderately high noise levels. If necessary, use earplugs, ear muffs or foam earplugs, whether at work, on a plane, during a rock concert, when using noisy tools, etc.

Beware of certain medications

Avoid taking high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen for long periods. See above for a partial list of drugs that are potentially toxic to the ears. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Identify aggravating factors

Alcohol, caffeine or smoking increase tinnitus in some people. Very sweet foods or drinks containing small amounts of quinine can have this effect on other individuals. These aggravating factors vary from person to person.

Reducing and managing stress

Practising relaxation, meditation, yoga, physical activity, etc., can reduce stress and anxiety, which are both consequences and aggravators of tinnitus.

Avoiding absolute silence in the case of hyperacusis

When suffering from this intolerance to loud noises, it is best not to seek silence at all costs or wear earplugs, as this can make the auditory system even more sensitive, thus lowering the discomfort threshold.

Taking Food Supplement

Everyone who may suffer from Tinnitus should learn about Calminax and take it as a preventive or curative measure: Calminax Food Supplement.