Earplugs won t help. It s ringing in the ears. While this condition can be caused by a buildup of ear wax or by allergies, it is often due to damage to the nerve cells in the ears. Exposure to loud noises can cause ear damage. Some medicines can contribute to it.
Alcohol abuse can also lead to tinnitus, as can an overdose of caffeine.
Or it could be the result of direct damage to some portion of the ear, such as blockage in the tiny arteries that feed blood to the ears, hardening of the tiny bones in the inner ear, or viral infections that damage the inner ear. Even high blood pressure can be a contributing factor. With so many possible causes, you and your doctor should try to figure out what s causing your tinnitus, says William H. Slattery III, M.D., director of clinical studies at the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles. Once that s established, some natural remedies may be helpful for improving blood circulation to the ear, if that s your problem, or protecting ear nerves from further damage. Here s what some experts recommend.