Five Ways To Make Ringing Stop After Long Exposure To Loud Noises

Being exposed to loud noises for a long period can cause damage to the structures of the ear. This damage can lead to tinnitus, which causes ringing in the ears. People with tinnitus may have difficulty hearing, and the ringing sound can interfere with daily life. Tinnitus can be temporary and subside over a few hours. However, the damage to the ear structures can also be permanent, making it important for you to try to prevent additional hearing loss. Here are five ways that you can stop ringing in your ears.

Understanding noise damage

Prolonged loud noise exposure without ear protection can cause damage to the hair cells of the inner ear. When noise occurs, the hair cells vibrate to send a nerve signal to the brain. If these cells are destroyed, they will not regrow. When hair cells are damaged, your brain will not interpret the sound correctly and will create the ringing sound instead. Here are some things that you can do to reduce ringing in your ears.

1. Stop exposing yourself to loud noises.

To help your ears recover, you should stop exposing yourself to loud noise. Turn down the volume on your television and stereo. Avoid loud events and wearing in-ear headphones. If you work around loud noise, wear ear protection at all times.

2. Distract yourself from the ringing in your ears.

If you only hear ringing in your ears when the room is silent, you can distract yourself by listening to a podcast or soft music. Yoga, meditation, and other stress-reduction techniques can also help.

3. Turn on white noise to help you sleep.

Some people experience sleep disturbances from the ringing in their ears. If you do, try turning on some white noise to help you to fall asleep. If you have a fan, turn it on, or try gentle ocean sounds.

4. Tap your head.

For some people, tapping their heads can help to stop ringing in their ears. To do this, put the palms of your hands over your ears with your fingers placed on the back of your head at the base of your skull. Using your index fingers, tap the back of your head about 50 times. Do this a few times each day as needed.

5. Stop consuming caffeine and alcohol.

Some people who stop consuming caffeine and alcohol claim that doing so helps to reduce the ringing in their ears. While this is not supported by scientific evidence, you can still try it.

Get help from Audiology by Accent

If the ringing in your ears is persistent, you should see a doctor. A doctor at Audiology by Accent can investigate what is causing the ongoing ringing in your ears. For example, if you have a foreign object or earwax buildup, you might experience tinnitus. An ear infection could also be the culprit. Contact us today to schedule an appointment by calling us at (352) 271-5373.