It's not unusual for existing tinnitus to worsen or escalate in cold weather, even if the weather itself isn't to blame. Cold and flu infections, added pressure on the ear, and increased rates of depression are all common occurrences during the winter months, and all can contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
Increased nasal pressure from colds and the flu. Cold weather causing an overproduction of earwax. This can lead to earwax potentially blocking the canal and muffling your hearing or causing temporary hearing loss, which can make tinnitus worse.
While it has no clear cure or cause, it affects millions of people in the world on some level and can be challenging to cope with. Thankfully, it's entirely possible to live a normal life even with tinnitus.
Distract yourself
Most tinnitus suffers know that distracting themselves from the sound is an effective way to cope. Any activity that grabs your attention is going to help you forget about the sound, if only for a short while.
Winter weather can be particularly difficult if you already have issues with your ears. The cold weather can trigger tinnitus for some people, perhaps due to the changes in our circulation in response to the low temperatures. It can also cause problems for some hearing aids.
In a 2017 study, warmer temperatures were correlated with lower levels of tinnitus and improved hearing. While we can't always skip town during a cold snap to soak up the joy of rest and warm weather (though do it if you can!), avoiding unnecessary exposure to cooler, unpleasant climates may help improve symptoms.
These blood flow changes can cause tinnitus or make tinnitus more noticeable. Other chronic conditions. Conditions including diabetes, thyroid problems, migraines, anemia, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have all been associated with tinnitus.
Your doctor may suggest using an electronic device to suppress the noise. Devices include: White noise machines. These devices, which produce a sound similar to static, or environmental sounds such as falling rain or ocean waves, are often an effective treatment for tinnitus.
For some people, tinnitus may be temporary. A person may experience tinnitus as a symptom of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL occurs due to long-term exposure to a noisy environment. A person's NIHL symptoms can go away after leaving the noisy environment.
Many studies have reported that poor cognitive performance was associated with tinnitus. However, unlike hearing loss, which has been reported to be an independent risk factor for dementia, the link between tinnitus and cognitive impairment remains unclear [1].
Tinnitus can be very disruptive to your daily life, resulting in stress, a lack of focus, and an inability to connect with people. However, there are things you can do to help manage your tinnitus symptoms. Try to avoid triggers and complete silence, as they can exacerbate your symptoms.
But if you just returned home from a noisy day of traveling and you find your ears buzzing, a couple of days should be enough for you to notice your tinnitus fading away. On average, tinnitus will persist for 16 to 48 hours. But sometimes, symptoms can last as much as two weeks.
It might get worse when it rains, for example. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that it is lower sea level pressure that is associated with tinnitus. Changes in atmospheric pressure often happen when you fly or when spring comes. Tinnitus is also associated with Ménière's Disease, says the NIH.
14 Cold showers / baths or oscillating between warm and cold can be very helpful for grounding and bringing down the ringing.
Ear and sinus infections: You might notice tinnitus when you've had a cold. That could be due to an ear or sinus infection that affects your hearing and increases pressure in your sinuses. If that's the cause, it shouldn't last long. If it doesn't get better after a week or so, see your doctor.
For some, the tinnitus may remain for several months. Physiological and mechanical issues causing tinnitus must be resolved, often leading to rapid relief after medical treatment or surgery. Ultimately, most cases of tinnitus are temporary and resolve themselves in time.
When we are stressed for long periods of time, we can become imbalanced or out of equilibrium causing our tinnitus to seem louder on some days more than others. Typical stressful situations might include life-changing events like a bereavement or losing a job.
What does the research say? Serum magnesium levels are lower in people with tinnitus than the general population[3]. Increased susceptibility to noise damage, ototoxicity and auditory hyperexcitability have also been linked to magnesium deficiency[4].
There is no cure for tinnitus. However, treating an underlying cause (such as vitamin B12 deficiency) may help relieve tinnitus symptoms. Other possible treatment options include: Acoustic therapy or sound therapy.
Tinnitus may result from a variety of causes, including: Damage to the nerve endings in the inner ear. Stiffening of bones in the middle ear. Advancing age.
Tinnitus and loud noise
Loud noise will make tinnitus worse. To avoid further exposure to loud noise: wear ear protection such as earmuffs or earplugs for activities such as mowing the lawn, using a chainsaw or playing or listening to live music.