For those who don’t have tinnitus, there aren’t many conditions more complex to comprehend. That’s because unless you actually have tinnitus, you won’t see, feel or hear the symptoms in the same way you would other conditions.

But for the almost 50 million Americans who experience some form of tinnitus, the condition is very real and is often very difficult to manage. Tinnitus is best characterized as ringing in the ears, but the American Tinnitus Association says, it can present sufferers with whistling, hissing, swooshing, clicking, and buzzing. These sounds aren’t detectable by others and that might be the most discouraging part of tinnitus, which can lead to confusion, disorientation, depression and delayed diagnosis.

The number is truly astonishing when you take into consideration that 15 percent of the general public has tinnitus. A report put out by the U.S. Center for Disease Control reports that 2 million of those individuals experience symptoms that are debilitating and extreme while another 20 million have what’s considered burdensome and chronic tinnitus.

In order to enhance their hearing and drown out the ringing, people with tinnitus frequently try hearing aids. There are commonplace things you can do to reduce the ringing along with using hearing aids.

If you have tinnitus here are 10 things to avoid:

• Some medicines; Particular medications such as aspirin, as an example, are good at decreasing pain but they could also trigger tinnitus. Tinnitus can also be impacted by other medication like prescription antibiotics or cancer drugs. However, you should always consult with your doctor about any problems you’re having before stopping a prescribed medication.
• Alcohol; Your cholesterol and heart health can be positively impacted by drinking a small amount of wine each day, or so the old saying goes. But when it comes to alcohol and tinnitus, you can have too much of a good thing. For certain people drinking too much alcohol causes tinnitus symptoms to be louder because it tends to raise your blood pressure.
• Excess earwax; There’s no doubt that earwax serves a beneficial role in the grand scheme of how your ears work. But actually dirt is trapped and our ears are protected by this gunk that we hate. That said, too much buildup can cause tinnitus to get worse. Your doctor may be able to help you relieve some of the accumulation and supply prevention tips to ensure it doesn’t build up to an unsafe level again.
• Jaw issues; If you’re having jaw pain, you should already be visiting a doctor, but especially if you also have tinnitus. Minimizing jaw pain may have some effect on your tinnitus because the jaw and ears share nerves and ligaments.
• Smoking; Your blood pressure can definitely be raised by smoking. Also, it can make the tinnitus worse by narrowing the blood vessels to the ears.
• Unsafe blood pressure levels; If you want to keep your tinnitus at bay you should keep track of your blood pressure which can also help safeguard you from other ailments. It’s significant to note that both high and low blood pressure levels can make your tinnitus worse, so you should be diligent about regularly checking your blood pressure.
• Infections; Since a lingering cold can quickly turn into a sinus infection there has always been commentary about the need to find a cure for it. Infections in both the ears and sinus have been known to worsen tinnitus, so be certain you’re doing everything you can to reduce your exposure to infections.
• Poor sleeping habits; Mom wasn’t kidding around when she said you needed those eight hours each night. Getting a sufficient amount of sleep can help you to stay away from tinnitus triggers and also offers a wide array of other health benefits.
• Loud noises; It may be obvious but the noises you’re hearing internally can be exacerbated by loud sounds. Be mindful of circumstances where you’ll be exposed to sounds at an increased volume. This can include construction sites, concerts, and loud restaurants. If you can’t abstain from loud settings, consider using earplugs to protect you from some of the noise. People who work at loud jobs are especially benefited by ear plugs.
• Caffeine; Here’s another influencer of blood pressure that can cause a spike in levels. You will most likely notice a change in sleeping habits if you drink too much caffeine.

Even though there’s no official cure for tinnitus, there are ways to control the symptoms and take back your life. You might be surprised in the changes in your overall health and your tinnitus symptoms if you try these 10 suggestions. If these don’t help, make an appointment with a hearing specialist.