WELCOME TO T-GENERATION
Have you every experienced a ringing in your head after a night out? This is what is know as Tinnitus, it usually however fades by the morning as your hangover kicks in. The daily lives for the younger generation is becoming increasingly noisy, you will at some point experience a buzzing or ringing in the ears, like when leaving a club.
Around 20% of all young people are regularly exposed to dangerously loud music, with millions of young people risking their hearing every week in noisy clubs and bars. (Just be careful out there people) Tinnitus can be heard in different varieties and volumes, from a quiet whisper to a roar: being constant or occasional like when leaving a club and can effect one or both ears. Tinnitus is a temporary problem for many young people but around 4 million people in the UK suffer every day. It can cause severe and permanent distress with many young people committing suicide.
You might think why should I care? the thing is it could happen at any time and ruin your life for ever, imagine a noise in your head all the time. Try to stay away from the speakers in any club it’s not worth it! If the floor shakes move away. There are a wide variety of different causes of tinnitus, including loud music, the use of drugs and even car accidents. If this describes you brother then make an appointment with your family doctor and get it sorted.
If you have these symptoms then get in touch with your family doctor to get it diagnosed as soon as possible. Tinnitus has no simple ‘cure’ but there are ways of reducing its impact.
Tinnitus can become a real problem during quiet times in the day, such as before you try and sleep. You might find relief by adding an external sound at a constant low level. For example radio static, the television or even a fan might help distract the tinnitus sound. Products are now available which will generate white noise (sound designed to mask tinnitus), including small speakers which can be placed below your pillow. You can buy tapes from the ENT unit (Ear, Nose and Throat) containing this white noise and listen to it on your personal Walkman.
Research shows that you may actually reduce the known volume of your tinnitus by trying this method. This special programme involves structured counselling and a noise generator helping you to get used to tinnitus. This might not seem a good idea at first but it does work if you have the bottle to try it for yourself.
You must try to improve blood circulation through exercise and a good diet if you want to reduce the tinnitus. Cut down on the intake of salt and stimulants such as coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and tobacco. But small amounts of these substances won’t make the condition worse. Take regular exercise play football, rugby or something to improve circulation.
This is a useful approach to breaking tinnitus by reducing stress levels and restoring sleep patterns. Relaxation will also help to control muscle groups and improve circulation, making your tinnitus more bearable. Ask your GP for advice or contact a local college or health centre about courses in your area.
Although several drugs have been tested, no single drug treatment has yet been developed but watch this space. Anti-depressant drugs can help to lower suffering caused by tinnitus but don’t offer a cure.
Treatments include acupuncture, homeopathy and vitamin supplements. There is no evidence to say that these treatments will work, but they can help you manage the problems better. The widest used alternative treatment is Gingko biloba that improves circulation, this might help your tinnitus so give it a try!
The prevention of Tinnitus
You might think that your ears will get used to the loud noise but this doesn’t happen take it from the experts. If you think that you have then your hearing is already damaged. You can however minimise the damage by following this: