I sometimes hear ringing in my ears. Am I just hearing things?
No. You probably have a form of tinnitus, and you are not alone. An estimated 50 million Americans have tinnitus, a ringing in the ears. Tinnitus may come and go, or it may be a continuous sound. It can vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal or whine, and it can be in one or both ears. When the ringing is constant, it can be annoying and distracting. More than 12 million people have tinnitus severely enough to seek medical help.

What causes tinnitus?
There are many causes. Problems ranging in severity from overproduction of wax to ear infections to acoustic tumors can produce tinnitus. One of the most common causes of tinnitus is exposure to excessively loud sounds. Tinnitus may also be caused by allergy, high or low blood pressure, a tumor, diabetes, thyroid problems, injury to the head or neck, and medications, such as anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, sedatives/antidepressants and aspirin.

Does having tinnitus mean that I am going deaf?
No, tinnitus is indication that there has been some kind of damage to the hearing mechanism, but it does not mean you will become deaf. Tinnitus does not cause hearing loss, and hearing loss does not cause tinnitus, although the two often exist together. In some cases, tinnitus is present where there is no hearing loss.

So what can I do if I think I have tinnitus?
Initially, you should be seen by an otologist or otolaryngologist. The purpose of the examination is to determine if there is a medical condition causing tinnitus for which treatment can be prescribed. If that is not the case, patients might then consider non-medical treatments, such as masking or relaxation therapies for relief.

Dos and don'ts to help with the ringing:
1) Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.
2) Get your blood pressure checked. If it is high, seek the help of a doctor to control it.
3) Decrease your salt intake. Salt impairs blood circulation.
4) Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola and nicotine.
5) Exercise daily. It improves your circulation.
6) Get adequate rest.
7) Stop worrying about the noise. Recognize your head noise as an annoyance and learn to ignore it as much as possible.

To learn more about tinnitus, check out the American Tinnitus Association's Web site at www.ata.org.