New study highlights Tinnitus impact as St. Joseph experts see effects locally

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A new study on hearing health is highlighting the impact on tinnitus, also referred to "ringing in the ears".

According to American Tinnitus Association, millions of Americans experience tinnitus, making it one of the most common health conditions in the country.

Local experts say they are beginning to see the effects of tinnitus among residents in St. Joseph. Pamela Nelson Lead Audiogist said people exposed to loud noise or experiencing hearing loss are more likely to develop tinnitus.

"Anybody in manufacturing, anybody involved in different locations that have a lot of noise. Even agricultural communities are exposed to very loud sounds," she said. "They can develop that ringing in the ears pretty quickly. Then, when people have sudden hearing loss that causes the ringing in the ear to start or tinnitus."

Nelson said factors beyond loud noise exposure can also contribute to tinnitus.

"Family history of hearing lost can cause that. Of course stress at work can cause it because of the fact your blood pressure is rising and so then that is a side effect of high blood pressure or cardiovascular activity. That's another culprit of ringing in the ears," she said.

Researchers found one and five adults with tinnitus cause them to cut working hours or quit jobs altogether. Nelson said tinnitus could make it hard to focus.

"When you're in quiet situations, that’s when you hear the ringing the most and the loudest," she said. "If they’re at a desk job that doesn't have a lot of noise around them, just trying to read you lose focus on what’s happening around you or what your reading. It becomes very challenging for that individual."

There's no cure for tinnitus but Nelson offers a few tips to reduce their symptoms.

"Reducing your exposure to loud sounds. Wearing ear plugs in those situations that you suspect maybe high level of noise. Clean eating, whole foods, lots of polyphenols those types of things can help your body fight inflammation," she said. "Any sort of blood pressure issues, getting your ears cleaned out on a annual biases. Learning meditation tools to reduce stress."

Nelson offer two things residents can do today to protect their ears or easing tinnitus.

"Wearing hearing protection. If you're already experiencing tinnitus, first thing you can do is add a little noise when you're in quiet situations because you're noticing the tinnitus the most when you're in that quiet situation," she said.

Nelson said tinnitus is not something to ignore.If you have hearing loss or difficulty communicating, you should seek care from an audiologist.