If you have ever experienced ringing, buzzing, hissing or other noises — even music! — that no one else around you seems to hear —you might have tinnitus, according to HuffPost.
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Tinnitus is a fairly common phenomenon and, according to the report, people with tinnitus may hear ringing noises, high-pitched tones, whistling, hissing, buzzing, pulsing, music or other sounds.
Tinnitus, a chronic ringing in your ears, affects an estimated 1 in 10 adults. The sounds are triggered when cells are damaged inside your inner ear.
Damage to your inner ear can be caused by loud sounds, medications, poor posture, head or neck injuries, TMJ problems, certain diseases, genetic disorders, ear infections and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure.
The Levo System is a fairly new device OK'd by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for tinnitus. By mimicking the sound of your tinnitus, it allows your brain to become more accustomed to the sound, thereby making it more tolerable.
Tinnitus is more noticeable at night, which is why it’s often associated with sleep disturbances and depression. Doctors are often advised not to use antidepressants or anticonvulsants when treating tinnitus.
Tinnitus can often affect your quality of life. It could also happen after you suffer an ear injury or if you have a circulatory system disorder. Even worse, it may be a sign of permanent nerve damage that could permanently impair your hearing.
Tinnitus is most common among those over 50 but is on the rise among young people due to increased exposure to loud music in headphones or at concerts, using earbuds or mobile phones and other environmental noise. In one study, 29% of students between the ages of 11 and 17 years had already developed chronic tinnitus.
While there is no cure, there are treatments for tinnitus that may ease symptoms, including supplementation with magnesium, zinc or gingko biloba.
In a study to determine if magnesium supplementation could reduce symptoms, participants with chronic tinnitus were asked to take a magnesium supplement for three months, after which researchers concluded that magnesium supplementation had a beneficial effect. Magnesium helps maintain normal nerve function, including the nerves that are involved in hearing.
While magnesium may help reduce tinnitus and hearing loss, it’s certainly not a reason to purposefully expose yourself to loud noises or music.
Interestingly, caffeine may ease tinnitus in some people. Women who consumed less than 150 milligrams of caffeine a day (about 12 ounces of coffee) were 15% more likely to develop tinnitus than those who consumed 450 mg to 599 mg.
Research has shown that caffeine has a direct effect on the inner ear or may be involved through its role in stimulating your central nervous system.
Coffee has also been associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, heart problems, Type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer. In addition, drinking coffee prior to a workout may help with muscle pain and preservation and boost endurance and performance.
Coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle if consumed in moderation, but make sure the coffee you consume is fresh, organic and black (and only if you’re not pregnant).