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Tinnitus Specialist London
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any external sounds around you. It can manifest as various types of sounds, such as a ringing, buzzing or whistling, and be heard in one or both ears. Sometimes the sound can appear in the middle of your head or its exact location may be difficult to pinpoint. The noise can be continuous or intermittent with tones ranging from low, medium or high pitched. Unfortunately, there are currently no cures for tinnitus. So what can be done about it? Here is what you need to know about tinnitus.
What causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not a disease or an illness but a symptom generated within a person's own auditory pathways. It's not always associated with disease and can be due to many factors including excessive noise exposure or an adverse reaction to medication. The exact cause of tinnitus is still not fully understood.
Here are some conditions and illnesses that can contribute to tinnitus:
Who can get tinnitus and what commonly triggers it?
Tinnitus can affect anyone of any age. Approximately 10% of the population experiences mild tinnitus continuously, while 1% suffer from more severe symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life. The perception of tinnitus can be intensified during periods of stress, anxiety or fatigue. The sudden onset of tinnitus can disturb concentration and sleep. Certain triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine, smoking and specific foods, may exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
How can tinnitus be treated?
Lifestyle changes play a significant role in managing tinnitus. Here are some measures you should consider and which can help:
Reduce or even better eliminate caffeine because it’s known to aggravate tinnitus. Caffeine is in coffee, tea, caffeinated cola, and chocolate.
Nicotine can also aggravate tinnitus, so you should do all you can to stop smoking.
Aspirin, particularly in high doses, can cause or make tinnitus worse. Fortunately, it usually gets better when aspirin is stopped. If you are taking aspirin on medical advice, ask your doctor for suitable alternatives.
Tinnitus prevention also includes limiting your exposure to loud noises. Vitamins such as A C E and Mg can be beneficial. Also, exercising regularly helps improve the blood flow to your ear structures, while vitamin B-12 aids in protecting the nerves of the inner ear. Good B-12 sources include dairy products, meat and eggs. A low-salt diet can help.
When to see a tinnitus specialist?
Dr Alam Hussain specialises in treating tinnitus and has developed a multisystem treatment approach that incorporates lifestyle changes, diet, homeopathy, acupuncture and sound enrichment, coupled with currently available devices. This treatment approach has achieved significant success in managing tinnitus.
Make an appointment with our tinnitus specialist
To learn more about our private tinnitus treatments at our London clinic call us on 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online.
