Tinnitus explained

Your ears should pick up sounds and funnel them along the ear canal to the auditory nerve, where they are taken to the brain and interpreted. Tinnitus is a condition whereby your auditory system creates sounds that are not audible to anyone else. They may occur in either or both ears, and may come and go at varying levels.

Here are some factors that can contribute to tinnitus and some ways of dealing with them.

A build-up of wax in the ear can cause crackling and roaring noises. Don’t attempt to get wax out by putting implements such as cotton buds into the ears, as this can cause the wax to impact against the eardrum and make symptoms worse. Consult your doctor

Catarrhal congestion in the ear/nose/ throat tract should be tackled with a combination of a dairy-free diet and the herb Plantago

Infection of the ear bones or membranes in the ear canals should be ruled out by the doctor

More than 200 medications can cause tinnitus, even commonly used medications such as aspirin.Talk to your doctor if you think your medication could be a factor

Combined with loss of balance, tinnitus may be part of a condition called vertigo, in which case it will ease as the condition resolves. Try cutting out salt and caffeine and drinking plenty of water and dandelion tea to reduce fluid imbalance

If you have suffered an injury such as whiplash, or undergone dental treatment, there may be unresolved muscle tension in the head/neck region contributing to the tinnitus, and you may find that craniosacral therapy or another gentle manipulation therapy will ease the symptoms

Damage to the sensitive nerve endings in the auditory canal should be avoided by wearing earplugs in noisy environments and eschewing the use of head-phones, or anything else that pipes noise directly into your ear

Both high and low blood pressure can contribute to tinnitus

The auditory system is part of the nervous system, and additional nervous strain should therefore be avoided. Artificial stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine are a bad idea, but nutrients such as vitamin B and magnesium can be taken to support the nervous system.