Persistent Tinnitus, in most instances, results from repeated exposure to high-intensity sound levels. Yes, minor ear infections, URI (upper respiratory infections) and some medication side effects can cause tempory forms of tinnitus to flare up, but they usually go away within days of stopping the medication or when the infection has resolved.

Sound levels above 85-db are now considered damaging to hearing. In the real world, we're all exposed to sound levels that high on a daily basis. Loud truck engines, aircraft engines, construction equipment, and just yesterday I was hit with a ear-piercing 120-db blast from a wheel-chair-belt alarm. Yep, that tiny, battery-powered alarm that lets the nurse know if the patient opens the safety belt on the wheel chair is deafening to say the least.

I worked with some of the top ENT doctors in the nation for many years, and a few of them sail and fish with me on a regular basis. I posed the question to them about my particular condition while working at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland USA. Their response was pretty much the same "There's nothing we can do--it's something you'll just have to live with."

BTW: Some forms of Tinnitus are caused by childhood diseases, with mumps being the first that comes to mind. If I recall correctly, that was one of the first questions the doctors asked me when I inquired about a remedy.

The other thing I learned, which I sincerely believe is accurate, is that while you cannot cure or even improve persistent Tinnitus, you can prevent it from becoming worse by avoiding additional exposure to loud noises. There are times, of course, when this is not possible, but I now wear hearing protectors while mowing the lawn with the tractor, using the weed eater, and performing similar tasks. This might not sound like much, but it's better than taking no precaution at all.

One final thought. Persistent Tinnitus can also be the result of hypertension (high blood pressure). It's a good idea to purchase an inexpensive blood pressure measuring device and take your blood pressure daily. Hypertension is also known as the "Silent Killer" because there are essentially no outward symptoms that this is taking place. That $50 blood-pressure measuring device could save your life.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy