12 Oct 2014 Blackmores Tinnitus 82896 views 1 min to read Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing in the ears or the head and can be so disturbing that sufferers can have disruptive sleep or be unable to carry on a normal conversation. Heart & circulation Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin 23 comments Symptoms Described as buzzing, ringing, roaring, whistling, or hissing, tinnitus is a noise in the ears that may come and go or be continuous. It may be so quiet that the person can only hear it when trying to sleep, or so loud that it is audible all the time. Tinnitus can also lead to occasional hearing loss. Causes Tinnitus is most commonly associated with over-exposure to loud noise. All it can take is attendance at one loud concert to experience tinnitus instantly and the noise may continue for several days. Many other factors can also cause tinnitus, including: An excessive amount of wax in the ear An ear infection A perforated eardrum Certain medication High blood pressure Allergies Anaemia An interruption of the cerebral blood flow (i.e. the blood flow to the head area) Diet and lifestyle These diet and lifestyle suggestions may help minimise tinnitus: Doing regular exercise, such as cardio activities including running and yoga that increases blood circulation to the head may help relieve you of the symptoms of tinnitus Improving blood circulation to your ears is important and reducing the saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet can help. Eating a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables and make sure you drink 6-8 glasses of filtered water a day If you're experiencing trouble sleeping, buy a white noise CD or try one of the many Tinnitus-related phone “apps” that feature sound libraries that will help mask the unwanted noise in your ears. Hypnosis has also been found to help some sufferers Avoiding loud noises is the most important remedy. If you are exposed to industrial noise pollution, or attending a loud concert, always wear ear plugs Avoiding alcohol, smoking, caffeine and reducing the salt in your diet can help improve cerebral blood flow Important notes Tinnitus can sometimes be related to an underlying health condition and should always be discussed with your doctor or healthcare professional. It is also important to seek medical advice if you are suffering from symptoms of infection, pain, dizziness or pus in the ear. If symptoms of tinnitus persist see your healthcare professional.