Demystifying the Symptoms: Can Stress and Anxiety Trigger Ringing in One’s Ears? 

Ringing in the ears, an annoying and all too common occurrence. For many, it is intermittent or occasional, but for some, it is a constant and a source of stress. But why does the ringing happen? Could stress and anxiety cause ringing in the ears? Is there anything that can be done to remedy this trouble? Of course, there is. You don’t have to try to distract your brain from tinnitus, when it may be possible to alleviate it altogether. Let’s demystify this symptom. 

What is Tinnitus? 

Tinnitus is the sensation or perception of sound when there is none. It typically presents as a ringing sound and it affects nearly 20 percent of the population. It should also be noted that although ringing in the ears may seem like a condition, it is actually a symptom. Although it is a rather nagging problem to have, it is not typically a sign of something serious. It will likely worsen with age, but with treatment, it usually gets better. When your medical practitioner is able to pinpoint the root of the ringing and is able to effectively treat the underlying condition, your tinnitus will likely lessen or even disappear. 

Causes of Ringing in the Ears 

There are several causes and usually, the root of the problem remains a mystery for many. But the more common source of tinnitus is damaged hair cells in the ear. This damage can come from many sources, however, overexposure to loud noises is usually the culprit. So, protecting your ears from loud noises can help slow and prevent hair cell damage. Age-related hearing loss and earwax blockages are other causes. Since there are bones in the middle ear, age can cause these bones to stiffen (much like any other bone in the body) or they have grown abnormally. Both scenarios can lead to tinnitus. 

Anxiety and Ringing in the Ears 

The relationship between ringing in the ears and anxiety is known, but not very well understood. It’s a little complicated. The good news is that anxiety-related tinnitus doesn’t usually last forever. It tends to intensify at the peak of anxiety and stressful situations and subsidies and dissipate as you come back to baseline. Some have hypothesized that it has something to do with the change in blood flow or blood pressure that accompanies anxiety. 

What You Can Do 

Schedule a visit with both your medical provider and a therapist if you’re concerned that your ear ringing is connected to anxiety. You can learn some techniques to better handle your stress and anxiety, which can reduce your anxiety and therefore your tinnitus also. Your doctor may give you a few suggestions on how you can increase blood flow to the inner ear to help reduce the ringing.  

 If you are experiencing ringing in your ears and think it is tied to stress and anxiety, try to remove yourself from situations that cause you to stress to see if that alleviates the problem. And don’t be afraid to seek medical advice on how you can remedy your situation.