Tinnitus is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.
Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes.
Many causes are external environmental causes such as abnormally loud sounds entering into the ear canal, or foreign objects in the ear.
Many causes are internal environmental issues such as the immune response of the body such as ear inflamation and infections, or the immune response to allergens causing nose allergies that prevent (or induce) fluid drainage. There may also be a condition of internal drying or wax build-up, or an arthritis type of inflamatory response to a buildup of metabolic waste products–an acidic internal environment that causes the body to fight against itself.
Tinnitus Why?
For most people, an incident of tinnitus is temporary…with sudden appearance and rapid onset; fortunately most will also experience a rapid resolution.
For many, however, about 10 % of people…tinnitus will persist. Why? Why should it persist in some people? Why should they hear buzzing, ringing, swishing, pulsing. Why should they be driven to distraction day and night?
Let’s look at an abbreviated explanation of how sound and hearing work. Sound operates like a wave and is carried through the ear canal then when it reaches the eardrum the wave causes the tiny bones and muscles of the ear to vibrate.
The vibration is interpreted to the brain as sound. If the vibration occurs improperly, becomes hypersensitive, or if the interpretation is incorrect, then the brain may “hear” sounds that are not there or experience –Tinnitus.
Stress Trauma and Tinnitus
Stress is one of the main causes of Tinnitus. The body responds as we said earlier, to external and internal stress with a cascade of events and body communication in the language of chemicals designed to alert us and motivate us to run to tale flight or run to safety or stand and fight.
When we cannot discharge the chemical soup…the adrenalin, the cortisol, etc…, we freeze and the event may be stored with ’emotional glue’ in our systems often being ‘run’ over and over again like an unending loop. This memory may be accompanied by sounds, smells, feelings, emotions, fears…much like we experienced in the first place. This may be the source of some unwelcome auditory sounds or Tinnitus.
The other type of stress to the body that effects all body systems is an improper diet. This may lead to an acidic metabolic environment in the body. The body when it is running in balance, operates at a slightly alkaline environment. The body works to maintain that slightly alkaline environment often by leaching minerals from the muscles and bones. These can form as crystals in the body and cause the body’s immune system to respond with inflamation. This may result in arthritis, atherosclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure. and Tinnitus, to name only a few.
Another body stressor that contributes strongly to the high incidence of Tinnitus is exposure to loud noises. Very high frequency noises and prolonged exposure to noise can cause trauma and damage to the ear and the onset of Tinnitus.
Medication can also cause damage to the ear resulting in Tinnitus. Aspirin and other over the counter meds; as well as prescription meds all have been credited with ear damage and Tinnitus.
As we can see, there are many contributors to Tinnitus.
Our Approach
Our focus here at Putnam Healing Arts is to address the trauma experienced by the client. This may include the trauma of the intrusive sounds and disruption of sleep, etc. It may also include addressing the traumatic memory of an event in the past and discharging the emotional or ‘stuck’ energy. It may also include a change in diet and lifestyle to address the metabolic disorder underlying the Tinnitus.
In all situations we will get a clearance from your doctor with the reassurance that there is no disorder that needs medical attention first. Your doctor will then refer you to us.
We have many tools to use to work with your condition. We also use a holistic approach which means we will work with the whole mind, body, spirit…not just your ears. We may use EFT acupressure, hypnosis, sound therapy, kinesiology, journaling, educating on diet and metabolism, education on stress and stress reduction, reiki, matrix work, and other modalities.
Join us to learn more by joining the informative introductory educational group or by joining our Metabolic Program or by making an appointment for a 1:1 session: Go to fees page
Or email: mag@putnamhealingarts.com
Or call: 845 228 8132
