Tinnitus: A Ringing Epidemic Growing Among Troops Who Served in the Two War Zones

Dr. Andrew Cheng, ENT, Offers Tip for Helping to Ease the Intensity of Tinnitus (Ringing of the Ear)

(EMWNews) July 16, 2008 — Until recently, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) was experienced mostly by those over 50. While the cause of tinnitus is not fully understood, many experts say that it is a result of an injury to the hearing mechanism caused by a sudden loud noise/explosion or repeated and prolonged exposure to loud noises (loud music, occupational exposure, etc.)

Soldier

“Many of the troops returning from overseas are reporting a high incidence of tinnitus despite the fact that most of them are quite young,” explains Andrew Cheng, M.D., an otolaryngologist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at New York Medical College and ear health advisor for Lipo-Flavonoid (http://www.lipoflavonoid.com) , a clinically-proven, dietary supplement that has shown promising relief for tinnitus sufferers.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, hearing damage is the No. 1 disability in the war on terror, and some experts say the true toll could take decades to become clear. They also reported that nearly 70,000 of the more than 1.3 million troops who have served in the two war zones are collecting disability for tinnitus, a potentially debilitating ringing in the ears, and more than 58,000 are on disability for hearing loss. The condition, according to Dr. Cheng, “is reaching epidemic proportions.”

“One of the most important issues with ringing in the ears is the fact that it is traumatic to the person suffering from it, and it often affects their family or other close relationships, too,” says Dr. Cheng. “The sufferer starts to believe he or she is crazy because the sound is heard clearly by them, but when they ask a spouse, friend, or anyone around them, that person does not hear this sound,” Dr. Cheng adds. Because of this, millions suffer from tinnitus, ironically, in silence because they don’t know how to explain a noise that nobody else can hear, and some are even embarrassed to ask their physician about it.

While there are some treatments available for tinnitus, there is no cure. Dr. Cheng suggests making lifestyle and dietary changes to help ease the intensity of the “ringing,” including:

• Control Blood Pressure – If you suffer from high blood pressure and you have tinnitus, now you have another reason why you should control your pressure. “If you are taking medicine for high blood pressure, you should be diligent about it,” advises Dr. Cheng.

• Decrease salt intake – When trying to minimize or lessen the intensity of tinnitus, most physicians will suggest eliminating sodium as the first step in the management of tinnitus (since sodium retains fluids). “In some cases, tinnitus results when the fluids of the inner ear mix,” explains Dr. Cheng. “Therefore, the less fluids retained in the body, the less opportunity there is for them to mix in the inner ear.” Reduce or eliminate salt in the diet, paying close attention to the sodium content on the labels of the foods you eat and beverages you drink.

• Dietary Supplements – Dr. Cheng has been recommending Lipo-Flavonoid, a nutritional supplement that contains the B complex group of vitamins in a base of lipotropic agents, such as choline, inositol and pantothenic acid, plus vitamin C and bioflavonoids. “Many of my patients with tinnitus have had success with Lipo-Flavonoid, which provides nutritional support to improve circulation in the inner ear for overall ear health.” “The exact formulation of ingredients in Lipo-Flavonoid has been tested numerous times in clinical studies on humans and the results have demonstrated relief and improvement in the tinnitus,” says Dr. Cheng.

• Avoid nerve stimulants (caffeine & nicotine) – “Nicotine and caffeine constrict your blood vessels, increasing the speed of blood flow through your veins and arteries,” explains Dr. Cheng. “Caffeine is one of the most common tinnitus aggravators and should be very limited or completely eliminated.” Coffee, teas, caffeinated colas, and chocolate all contain significant amounts of caffeine capable of constricting blood flow in the ear.

• Cover up the noise – Tinnitus is usually more bothersome when the surroundings are quiet, especially when going to sleep. “A competing sound, such as a ticking clock, a radio, a fan or a white noise machine may help mask tinnitus by creating a special environment,” advises Dr. Cheng. For some people, tinnitus maskers — devices similar in appearance to hearing aids that produce a pleasant noise — may help, too, since the quiet of silence can actually seem loud to tinnitus sufferers.

• Acupuncture – Some tinnitus sufferers have found relief in alternative therapies, such as acupuncture.

• Avoid Stress- Stress can make tinnitus worse. “Stress management, whether through relaxation therapy, biofeedback or exercise, may provide some relief, not to mention be beneficial for your overall health,” advises Dr. Cheng.

Visit http://www.stopearringing.com for additional information about tinnitus and Lipo-Flavonoid®.