If you have tinnitus, then you’ve probably noticed that your symptoms seem to be more severe at certain periods than others. While it can be difficult to pin down exactly what has caused tinnitus to flare up, evidence suggests that there are some common culprits that may be behind the increase in severity.

While these triggers may be unwelcome, the good news is that, once you know what they are, you can take steps to minimize their impact. So, what are some well-known tinnitus triggers and what advice can an audiologist offer on lessening and managing your symptoms.

High Stress Levels

People with tinnitus often say that their symptoms worsen during periods of high stress. The exact reason why this is the case isn’t entirely clear but do know that stress plays a role in hormone balance, quality of sleep and other factors that can impact tinnitus symptoms. There’s no way to completely avoid stressful situations. They’re just a part of life. However, you can control your own stress levels. Doing things such as getting enough exercise, practicing yoga and meditation can all help to keep stress levels in check.

Alcohol and Nicotine Intake

Smoking cigarettes can make tinnitus symptoms worse, as can having a high alcohol intake. These types of products impact tinnitus in a variety of ways. Alcohol raises blood pressure, which has been shown to make tinnitus more severe. Nicotine also elevates blood pressure, plus reduces oxygen in your body.

Cutting down or eliminating alcohol and nicotine from your life may have a positive impact on your tinnitus, as well as provide a number of other health benefits, including more energy and improved mood. Additionally, cutting down on nicotine and alcohol can improve quality of sleep, which has also been shown to improve tinnitus symptoms.

Diet

The evidence that diet can play a role in tinnitus symptoms isn’t entirely established yet, since research is still in its infancy. However, early findings suggest that some food products, including those that are high in fat, iron and calcium, may have a negative impact on tinnitus. On the other hand, having a higher B12 and high protein meats may reduce tinnitus flare-ups.

Earwax

Having excess earwax has been shown to worsen tinnitus symptoms, as well as just more broadly impact hearing ability. If you have a buildup of earwax, it’s recommended to have your ears cleaned professionally, rather than trying to do it yourself, since it’s possible to cause more damage.

Hearing Loss

There’s a well-defined link between hearing loss and tinnitus, with people who experience hearing loss more likely to have some level of tinnitus. The best way to prevent this is to take a proactive approach to hearing loss by visiting an audiologist. They will be able to test your hearing, make lifestyle recommendations and guide you through the process of selecting and fitting a hearing device and can offer a tinnitus masking feature, which will help alleviate tinnitus issues and enhance your overall quality of life.