Posted Wednesday October 9, 2024
Tinnitus... that ringing in your ears that interferes with your concentration, makes it difficult to fall to sleep or relax. Up to 20% of the adult population can suffer from tinnitus but with the right management it can be brought under control. Read on for some myths and facts around tinnitus and the latest discovery on how eating fish can help!
Here's some myths (and facts) around tinnitus to keep in mind:
- Tinnitus will get worse over time. MYTH. Tinnitus generally gets better with time - it becomes more manageable, becomes quieter, or is heard less frequently.
- Having tinnitus means I will go deaf. MYTH. Hearing loss can be a cause of tinnitus, but tinnitus cannot cause hearing loss.
- Hearing aids help manage tinnitus. TRUTH. For the majority of people who have a hearing loss along with tinnitus, hearing aids quieten the tinnitus.
- Caffeine makes tinnitus worse. MYTH. Recent studies show that caffeine may actually improve tinnitus discomfort for some. It's a case of "do what's right for you"... if reducing your caffeine intake helps, go for it but don't go without your daily cuppa if you're finding comfort from it.
- Having tinnitus is a sign that I have a serious condition. MYTH. Tinnitus is rarely a sign of anything serious.
- I will never hear silence again. MYTH. Tinnitus can improve with time with the right techniques.
So, what's this about fish?
A longitudinal study has suggested that eating seafood may help protect women (sorry guys!) from developing persistent tinnitus but taking fish oil supplements might actually increase the risk. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital followed over 9,000 women for up to 30 years. They found that regular consumption of seafood, especially tuna, light-meat fish (like cod and groper/hapuku), and shellfish, was linked to a lower risk of tinnitus.
Interestingly, while the study noted that fish oil supplements were popular, they seemed to be associated with a higher risk of persistent tinnitus. The research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, highlights the importance of diet in relation to tinnitus, as previous studies on this topic have shown mixed results.
In this study, women were assessed every four years about their diet where it became clear that more frequent seafood consumption led to a decreased risk of developing tinnitus. The researchers noted a direct link between how often women ate seafood and their risk levels, emphasising that both the amount and type of seafood matter.
Overall, if you’re looking to support your ear health, it might be a good idea to enjoy more seafood while being cautious with fish oil supplements!
Along with fish, what else helps tinnitus?
Sound therapy to distract your brain from paying attention to tinnitus can be a great option... play a very low-level, constant sound – white noise, brown noise, ocean waves, wind chimes either through your hearing aids if you have them, or through a noise generator.
Keeping your mind and body healthy can also be a big help... relaxing, exercise, healthy eating habits, massage, a bit of yoga, setting up a good sleep routine... all great to reduce the impact of tinnitus along with looking after yourself!
80% of people who have tinnitus, also have hearing loss, so if you're already wearing hearing aids, these can help. Hearing aids help transmit more sounds into the ear and brain, making the symptoms of tinnitus less apparent. If you aren't wearing hearing aids, now might be the time to have a hearing check!
Further reading:
Research into fish consumption
Myths and facts about tinnitus