Everyone feels a ringing in their ears once in a while, but if it doesn’t stop, it can drive people crazy. This ringing sensation in the ear is medically known as tinnitus, and it is caused by damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. The hair cells pick up sound vibrations and send electrical impulses through the auditory nerve to the brain. When tinnitus occurs, the hair cells are constantly “working”, making the brain think that sound vibrations are entering the ear endlessly. Possible causes of tinnitus include: hearing damage (strong noise), ear wax, infection, side effects of certain medications (more than 200 medications can cause tinnitus), perforated eardrum, fluid, high blood pressure, tumors, diabetes, and old age. Ways to stop tinnitus 1. Stop strong noise, or wear ear protection. 2. Avoid elevated blood pressure. 3.Eat less salt. Salt can sometimes cause tinnitus. 4. Limit the use of aspirin. Long-term use of aspirin (or frequent use within one or two days) can cause tinnitus. Consult your doctor before stopping any medication that may cause tinnitus. 5. Avoid caffeine, tobacco and addictive substances, all of which can cause tinnitus. 6. Exercise; if tinnitus is caused by poor blood circulation, it can be improved by exercise. 7. Make sure you get enough rest. What kind of tinnitus should seek medical attention The ringing in the ear is sometimes a sign of serious diseases, such as: 1. Severe excess triglycerides in the blood 2. Stroke or transient ischemic attack (if accompanied by slurred speech, numbness in the face or limbs, and changes in vision) 3. Meniere’s disease, an inner ear dysfunction (if accompanied by severe dizziness and fluctuating hearing loss) 4. Auditory neuroma, a tumor of the ear nerve Therefore, when you have Therefore, when you have unexplained tinnitus that lasts for more than a day, you should seek medical attention.