Tinnitus is when you experience noise or ringing in your ears or head when no physical noise is present. It's a symptom of a problem in your auditory system.
Common sounds associated with tinnitus include:
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Ringing
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Buzzing
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Whistling
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Roaring
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Humming
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Hearing loss
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A build-up of ear wax
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Exposure to loud noise
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Ear infections or inflammation
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Problems with the inner ear
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Some medicines
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Head injuries
Preventing tinnitus
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Don't stand near the speakers when listening to live music.
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Use noise-cancelling headphones to listen to music and keep the volume as low as you can. Also, take regular breaks of at least 5 minutes every hour to give your ears a rest.
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If you are in a noisy environment, regularly find a quieter spot to give your ears a rest.
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Try to reduce your stress levels – sometimes tinnitus starts when you are anxious or stressed.
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If you use earplugs or hearing aids, keep them clean, and avoid sticking things in your ears (such as cotton buds). These can all cause infections, which can cause tinnitus.
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Use earplugs if you are going to be exposed to loud sounds over 85 decibels.
Different noises and their loudness:
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A quiet library: 40 decibels
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Ordinary spoken conversation: 60 decibels
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A food blender: 85 decibels
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A nightclub: 100 decibels
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A live concert: 110 decibels
Always speak to a hearing or medical professional if you are concerned about tinnitus or your hearing.
Sources:
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
healthdirect.gov.au
rnid.org.uk
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