Inner ear symphony: combating ringing in ears anxiety. That’s what it’s like with ringing in the ears (also called tinnitus). Therefore, with combating ringing in the ears, in the near future I’m going to try some of these different methods that help it. My tinnitus isn’t as bad as some others.
Anxiety can affect tinnitus. Altogether, many people with tinnitus report that their symptoms seem to worsen when they are feeling anxious or stressed.
The buzzing sound is very annoying, especially when I’m trying to concentrate on something. It goes the other way around. When the ringing is high, my anxiety goes high
Research indicates that up to 45% of individuals with chronic tinnitus present with anxiety symptoms, and that tinnitus often worsens after an individual experiences stress.
Let’s delve into some unusual treatments that they say can cure ringing in the ears. But first, lets find out the symptoms of tinnitus.
Anxiety Symptoms Ringing in Ears
This common anxiety symptom can be experienced in a number of ways and can vary from person to person. For example, common descriptions of the ringing in the ears (tinnitus) anxiety symptoms include:
- Firstly, hearing a high-pitched ringing, low rumbling, swooshing, sloshing, buzzing, roaring, whooshing, whistling, hissing, whizzing, chirping, beating, humming, pulsing, throbbing, effervescent-like, and a pumping sound in an ear or ears.
- Having a high pitched hissing sound ringing in the background.
- Having a high frequency ringing sound in an ear or ears.
- Fourtly, having a ‘stopped up’ feeling and/or ‘plugged’ sound in one or both ears.
- Having an inability to hear certain sounds because the ringing sound is too loud.
- Having what seems like water in your ear that causes your hearing to have a hollow or low rumbling sound.
- Additionally, feeling like your hearing is muted and/or subdued.
- Feeling like there is a pressure in your ear that’s causing the hissing sounds.
- In quiet environments these sounds can seem louder and the feelings more intense.
- Lastly, you can also cause these and new sounds when you move your jaw, such as beeping, popping, bubble-popping-sound, blipping, effervescent sounds, and so on.
However, tinnitus symptom can persistently affect one ear only, can shift and affect the other ear, can affect both ears, or can switch back and forth between ears and over and over again.
The ringing in the ears symptom can come and go rarely, occur frequently, or persist indefinitely. For example, you might get ringing in the ears once in a while and not that often, get it off and on, or have it all the time.
Anxiety Tinnitus Treatment
Inner ear symphony: combating ringing in ears anxiety seems so hard. Here are some different treatments for ringing in the ears:
Masking devices
Accordingly, low-level sounds from devices like masking devices or tabletop sound generators can help you ignore tinnitus and fall asleep. You can also try listening to low-volume radio static.
Sound therapy
Furthermore, natural sounds like rain, wind, waterfalls, and streams can reduce the strength of tinnitus-related neuronal activity in the auditory system.
I could go for this, I like listening to ambient sounds. Consequently, I used to listen to guided imagery cd’s when I went to bed. They really helped with anxiety. Don’t ask me why I stopped!
Biofeedback
This relaxation technique teaches you to control certain body functions, like your breathing and heart rate. Being that, it can help you manage tinnitus-related distress by changing your reaction to it.
This sounds interesting. Even more, relaxing your breathing and heart rate sounds like Reiki that I learned in massage school. There are cases where Reiki has helped with tinnitus.
Acupuncture
This ancient Chinese practice involves placing fine needles at specific points on the body to balance qi, or the energy that flows through the body.
Overall, the reviews are mixed, but some experts say acupuncture can reduce the tensity of ringing in the ears. It’s better than nothing if you don’t mind needles being stuck into you. I’m sorry, but just the thought creeps me out even if they don’t hurt.
Earwax removal
If earwax is the cause of your tinnitus, removing it may solve the problem. However, you should be careful trying to remove earwax by yourself, as you could push it deeper into the canal or even perforate your eardrum.
This is probably gross, but I only clean my ears out every once in a great while. I know, some people do it everyday.
I am so afraid of perforating my eardrum. Subsequently, at yearly exam , my doctor usually makes the comment “I’m surprised you can still hear!”
Ginkgo biloba
Inner ear symphony: combating ringing in ears anxiety needs to be diligent. Nonetheless, some studies suggest that Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) may help with tinnitus, but other studies have not found it to be effective:
Positive studies
In brief, a 2011 NCBI review found supportive evidence that GBE, such as EGb 761, may be an evidence-based treatment option for tinnitus in patients with dementia or age-associated cognitive impairment.
In another case, a 2021 NCBI study also suggests that GBE may improve inner ear circulation, which could be beneficial for treating tinnitus.
Negative studies
Moreover, a 2001 study found that 50 mg of GBE LI 1370, taken three times a day for 12 weeks, was no more effective than a placebo in treating tinnitus.
Meanwhile, a 2022 Cochrane Library review also found that GBE may have little to no effect on tinnitus symptom severity compared to a placebo, though the evidence was uncertain.
Melatonin
In general, melatonin offers minimal risk of toxicity with modest daily doses such as 1 to 3 mg, as well as a low cost and favorable adverse effect profile for older adults.
In addition to potential benefits in the treatment of tinnitus, melatonin also may have beneficial neurogenerative properties.
Doctor’s recommend that melatonin be considered for use in patients with significant tinnitus.
Tinnitus Caused by Stress and Anxiety
Inner ear symphony: combating ringing in ears anxiety seems ruthless. In reality, stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen tinnitus, and some people with tinnitus may also feel stressed and anxious.
In fact, studies show that 28–45% of chronic tinnitus patients have clinically relevant anxiety symptoms.
I’ve got the buzzing in my ears right now because I’m somewhat anxious about an upcoming appointment today. Hence, it means I have to ‘socialize’ with somebody and come out of my comfort zone.
That’s what anxiety does to you, you become anxious over trivial things or situations. Basically, anxiety is a ‘killer’ of many situations that a person would like to experience.
Tinnitus Panic Attack
Tinnitus can be caused by anxiety and panic attacks, and anxiety can also be caused by tinnitus.
In effect, during a panic attack, anxiety can cause physical symptoms like increased heart rate, muscle tension, and shortness of breath, which can lead to tinnitus.
These symptoms can also intensify the perception of tinnitus. For example, during a panic attack, people may become hypervigilant and focus on bodily sensations, including the sounds of tinnitus.
Therefore, this heightened awareness and focus can amplify the perception of tinnitus, making it seem louder or more troublesome than usual.
Further to this, tinnitus and panic attacks may share certain neurological pathways or structures in the brain, namely the limbic system (which controls emotions), and the auditory system.
Psychological factors also play a role: tinnitus can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, predisposing individuals to panic attacks.
Similarly, experiencing panic attacks can heighten anxiety and emotional distress, potentially intensifying the perception of tinnitus.
Pulsatile Tinnitus Anxiety
Inner ear symphony: combating ringing in ears anxiety seems impossible. There is a link between anxiety and high blood pressure, and high blood pressure may cause pulsatile tinnitus.
In fact, pulsatile tinnitus is a relatively rare type of tinnitus that affects around 5 million Americans.
However, pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmic noise that someone hears. There may be a link between anxiety and pulsatile tinnitus, as many people with pulsatile tinnitus also experience anxiety. However, anxiety is unlikely to directly cause it.
It might not always be possible to prevent pulsatile tinnitus, but managing risk factors for the underlying conditions may help reduce the risk.
Sum It All Up
Inner ear symphony: combating ringing in ears anxiety is possible. So, the question of the day is, does anxiety cause tinnitus or the other way around? Some experts have studies that say yes, yet others say no.
In short, people may find frequent bouts of tinnitus disturbing, and it can cause difficulties with sleep and focusing.
Significantly, anxiety and tinnitus have a complicated, interlinked relationship. Anxiety and related mental health conditions can cause tinnitus. Also, tinnitus can exacerbate episodes of anxiety, as it may cause the individual to worry.
I’ve given you some treatments that may help with tinnitus. I’m going to try them and see if I can combat that inner ear symphony to stop or eleviate some of it so I can have some peace. Until next time…
Articles About Tinnitus and Anxiety
-What Is the Most Effective Treatment For Tinnitus? 7 Options
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_the_most_effective_treatment_for_tinnitus/article.htm
-Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Tinnitus
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/65321
-Exploring The Similarities Between Tinnitus And Panic Attacks
Have a Good One,
Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions
“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”— Arthur Somers Roche
“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”— Swedish proverb
“Anxiety is a lot like a toddler. It never stops talking, tells you you’re wrong about everything, and wakes you up at 3 a.m.”— Anonymous
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