Tinnitus is commonly called “ringing in the ears,” but some people have very loud noises (or roaring, hissing, buzzing, or ringing) in their ears that can block out outside noises and conversations. It can be caused by loud noises or music, ototoxic medications, earwax buildup, allergies, ear or sinus infection, congestion, misalignment of the jaw or bite (TMJ disorder), cardiovascular disease, Meniere’s, an auditory nerve tumor, otosclerosis, hypothyroidism, head or neck trauma, and, believe it or not, dehydration.
The body is 70 percent water, and the delicate bones and accompanying tissues in the ear are very sensitive, even to dehydration. Once the tissues dry out, there is no flexibility in the little joints of the little bones that “listen.” The imbalance in fluids can cause the tiny hairs in the cochlea of the inner ear to become damaged. Damage can also come from loud noises like a lawnmower and rock concerts. Even MP3 players with volume that is too high can cause damage. The damage can become permanent if you drink too little healthy water over time or if you are regularly in a noisy environment. Chronic dehydration can worsen inner ear function, so be sure to drink plenty of healthy water, not coffee, fruit juices, carbonated beverages, or bottled water.
If you find that you have tinnitus after a loud noise event, start drinking more water and avoid other loud noises for a few days. You don’t want the ring to become permanent. If you find that ear noises persist, avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, caffeine, aspirin, and nicotine, as these can make the noises worse. Although aspirin and certain antibiotics can make tinnitus worse, your doctor can help you make substitutions or adjust the dose to make you more comfortable.
If you run or play sports you will want to drink plenty of healthy water. Overheating can aggravate tinnitus just as much as dehydration.
In recent years, researchers have used magnetic resonance imaging to detect brain activity in people who suffer from tinnitus. They have found hyperactivity in the auditory cortex and certain parts of the limbic brain, not normally found in people without noise in their ears. The limbic brain governs responses to stress, such as anxiety and emotions. The researchers say it’s not that tinnitus is stress-induced, but rather that the part of the brain that produces fearful emotions is overactive in tinnitus sufferers.
For a long time, the questions of medical professionals and scientists have been where the “doorbell” is located. They know that people could “hear” the noise, but they wondered if it was in the ears or in the brain. It was postulated that noise arose when sound passed from the ear to the central nervous system and brain. When hearing was assaulted by a prolonged loud noise, even for a short time, and there was trauma, the brain tried to compensate by turning on its own amplifier. But just like a shortwave radio, you hear more sound as well as more hissing. But now, along with MRIs, scientists are beginning to unravel the mysteries of tinnitus.
In Germany and Belgium, research is showing promise with a treatment protocol called transcranial magnetic stimulation with some patients. This treatment involves placing a magnetic plate just above the ear and holding it where the auditory cortex is located. When electrical current is pulsed through the plates, it is postulated that faulty brain signals are disrupted and possibly even reset. The painless 5-30 minute sessions do not require anesthesia, but they do require expensive equipment found only in major neurology centers.
In the last two years, some interesting developments have emerged from the pharmaceutical industry. A very dangerous procedure was tried, injecting lidocaine, an anesthetic into the bloodstream of a tinnitus patient. There was a complete absence of symptoms for five minutes. This is not a recommended treatment, but what it told the researchers is that somewhere in the brain there is an off switch. Investigators are now actively looking for it.
In my clinic, I have several clients who have lost their tinnitus from drinking alkaline ionized water. The level of his chronic dehydration was the benchmark for how long it took to go away. This healthy water gently neutralized the acidic condition that is associated with dehydration to create all sorts of symptoms in the body, including ringing in the ears. Try my 7 day water challenge. It’s free and you’ll feel better for it.