A Ringing Epidemic Growing with the Use of Electronics and Among Troops Coming Home from Afhganistan and Iraq

The following is a guest post contributed by one of my readers, Laura Giardina,
Senior Account Executive for Robin Leedy & Associates, Inc.

An estimated 50 million people (according to the American Tinnitus Association) suffer from some degree of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that ranges from mild to severe – so severe that it can have a huge impact on one’s life. While the cause of tinnitus is not fully understood, experts say that it may be the 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.) Until recently, tinnitus was experienced mostly by those over 50.

However, with the increased use of the newest devices that stream loud sounds directly into the ear, such as iPods, hands-free phones, etc., the growing epidemic of ear ringing is becoming a more widespread problem among younger people – one that isn’t going away anytime soon,” explains Andrew Cheng, M.D., an otolaryngologist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at New York Medical College. “In fact, many of the troops returning from overseas are reporting a high incidence of tinnitus despite the fact that most of them are quite young. 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.”

While there are some treatments available for tinnitus, there is no cure. However, doctors often suggest making lifestyle and dietary changes to help ease the intensity of the ‘ringing.’

What to do if you have tinnitus? Dr. Cheng offers this advice:

• 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 to your overall health,” advises Dr. Cheng.
  
  Visit

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

Additional information about Lipo-Flavonoid:

For everyone who suffers from tinnitus, whether the cause is known or not, it is necessary for sufferers to take control of their personal situation for greatest relief, since it can affect a sufferer emotionally and physically to hear a continual noise that no one around them can hear. Lipo-Flavonoid, a nutritional supplement developed by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor, or ENT) in the early 1960s, has been providing relief and improvement of the condition for many sufferers. Until recently, it had a limited following, with people learning about it mostly through word-of-mouth from those who have used it successfully or seen it work (doctors who recommend it- the well-respected, syndicated health columnist Dr. Peter Gott, has recommended Lipo-Flavonoid to his readers on several occasions. Here is one link http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/3367851 .However, as the success of this supplement has become more widely known due to the Internet, media coverage and increased doctor recommendations, it is now becoming a more mainstream brand with mass market distribution.

Lipo-Flavonoid provides nutritional support to improve circulation in the inner ear for overall ear health. When the circulation in the inner ear is improved, the microscopic hair cells responsible for transmitting electrical impulses of sound to the brain stay flexible, and fluids within the ear canals may flow better (it is thought that a primary cause of tinnitus is damage to or stiffening of these microscopic hair cells within the ear). Lipo-Flavonoid® nutritional supplement is recommended by ear, nose and throat doctors nationwide, and patient feedback has shown it to be effective in helping to reduce tinnitus in a significant number of users.