Have you ever noticed a ringing in your ears that just won't go away? This is a common issue called tinnitus, and it can be quite bothersome. But what you might not know is that high blood pressure can be the culprit behind this ear-ringing sensation.
In this article, we will discuss how, for people dealing with high blood pressure, ringing in ears can be a common symptom. Let's explore this link between hypertension and tinnitus and answer questions like, "Can high blood pressure cause ringing in the ears?" and "Can high blood pressure cause tinnitus?"
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of noise with no external source. It's a symptom that can indicate conditions like age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or a circulatory system disorder. People with tinnitus often describe hearing sounds like ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
The primary way people experience tinnitus is hearing a ringing sound that is not actually there.
These sounds may be heard in one or both ears and might come and go or be present all the time. Other tinnitus symptoms can include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling irritable or anxious
What causes tinnitus?
Several factors and conditions can be tinnitus causes, including:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Exposure to loud noises
- Earwax blockage
- Ear infection
- Head or neck injuries
- Certain medications
- Circulatory system disorders
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition where the force your body uses to pump your blood is too great. This puts extra strain on the walls of your blood vessels and can damage your arteries and cause serious health problems.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. This is why it's sometimes called the "silent killer." However, extremely high blood pressure can cause symptoms like:
- Severe headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Fatigue or confusion
- Vision problems
- Chest pain
- Tinnitus
What causes high blood pressure?
Several factors can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, including:
- Genetic factors
- Age
- Consuming a diet high in salt, fat and/or cholesterol
- Lack of physical activity
- Obesity or being overweight
- Alcohol and tobacco use
How does high blood pressure affect your hearing?
Can high blood pressure cause hearing loss? Yes, it can. High blood pressure can affect your hearing by damaging the small blood vessels in your ears. This can reduce blood flow to the inner ear, which can lead to hearing problems and possibly tinnitus.
How can high blood pressure cause tinnitus?
You may be wondering, in what ways can high blood pressure cause ringing in the ears? When you have high blood pressure, this causes your blood to move through your body with more force. This can lead to blood vessel damage, which can impair your inner ear’s ability to function and potentially lead to a perception of ringing in the ears.
Another way hypertension and tinnitus can be linked is through increased blood flow in the veins near your ear, which can create a sound that you perceive as a ringing or buzzing.
What's the relationship between high blood pressure and tinnitus?
There are a number of ways that high blood pressure and tinnitus are connected. Let’s explore some of the causes and effects between these two conditions.
Medications
Certain high blood pressure medications can cause tinnitus as a side effect. Conversely, some medications used to treat tinnitus can affect blood pressure. It's important to talk to your doctor if you notice any new or worsening symptoms after starting a new medication.
Stress and anxiety
Can stress cause high blood pressure? Yes! Stress and anxiety can both cause high blood pressure and worsen tinnitus symptoms. When you're stressed, your body produces more adrenaline, which can increase your blood pressure. This can create a vicious cycle, as the stress from tinnitus can also raise your blood pressure further.
Circulatory system diseases
Diseases that affect the circulatory system, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or vascular tumors, can lead to both high blood pressure and tinnitus. These circulatory system diseases can restrict blood flow to various parts of the body, including the ears, causing both high blood pressure and tinnitus.
What treatments are available for high blood pressure and tinnitus?
Tinnitus retraining therapy
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a behavioral treatment that can help those suffering from tinnitus. TRT involves counseling and sound therapy to help retrain the brain to ignore the tinnitus sounds. This therapy can reduce the stress and anxiety associated with tinnitus, improving overall quality of life.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another treatment option for tinnitus. CBT can help patients change their negative thoughts and behaviors related to tinnitus. During a CBT session, a therapist will work with the patient to identify negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies. This can reduce the emotional impact of tinnitus.
Hearing aids
Hearing aids can help with tinnitus symptoms by amplifying external sounds, making tinnitus less noticeable. Hearing aids for tinnitus can also be programmed with sound therapy features that can provide relief from tinnitus.
At Miracle-Ear, we offer free hearing evaluations with our team of experts, so you can be sure to find the right hearing aid option for your needs.
Treating underlying causes
By treating what causes high blood pressure—such as improving your diet, increasing physical activity and managing your stress—you can often get relief from tinnitus. Remember that high blood pressure can be one of several common tinnitus causes, so treating it at the source can be an effective way to reduce your tinnitus symptoms.
What are ways to manage tinnitus and high blood pressure?
Wondering how to manage high blood pressure? Start by seeing a physician to get it under control. Here are six easy and effective ideas to try at home alongside your doctor's advice
Drink less caffeine
Caffeine can raise your blood pressure and make tinnitus worse. Reducing your caffeine intake can be an effective strategy for how to manage high blood pressure.
Improve your sleep
Good sleep is essential for overall health, including blood pressure and tinnitus management. Establish a strong sleep routine to help keep your blood pressure in check and reduce tinnitus symptoms.
Drink less alcohol
Alcohol can raise blood pressure and worsen tinnitus. Cutting back can help improve both conditions, helping you on your journey to manage high blood pressure.
Quit smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for high blood pressure and can also worsen tinnitus. Quitting smoking can improve your blood pressure and help manage tinnitus.
Manage stress
Stress management is crucial for controlling both high blood pressure and tinnitus. Techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels and are a great idea for how to manage high blood pressure.
Try tinnitus exercises
Exercises specifically for tinnitus, such as progressive muscle relaxation and certain types of physical therapy, can help improve symptoms. These tinnitus exercises can reduce tension in the body, which may help with both tinnitus and be an effective strategy for how to manage high blood pressure.
By understanding the relationship between high blood pressure and tinnitus, you can take steps to manage both conditions more effectively. Remember to always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options.
