If you need to take a new medication, it’s overwhelming to look at the possible side effects. Sometimes, a prescribed drug can improve one condition, worsen another, or create a new problem. It can be concerning if you need blood pressure (or hypertension) medication and have tinnitus. There have been cases of some blood pressure medication that was associated with tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the phantom noise (a buzzing, ringing, or chirping sound) only a person affected can hear. Tinnitus and hearing loss often go hand-in-hand, but other causes of tinnitus may include ototoxic medications. Work on Controlling High Blood Pressure The American Heart Association revealed that almost half of all American adults experience high blood pressure. When a person has high blood pressure, the force of blood against the blood vessel walls is persistent. The average blood pressure is under 120 mmHg (the upper number) and 80 mmHg (the lower number). If you don’t get proper treatment for high blood pressure, it can lead to heart attack, kidney damage, stroke, and vision loss. Medication and lifestyle changes are helpful. Your healthcare provider can treat high blood pressure with at least one type of prescription drug. There are possible side effects. It’s currently uncertain why some blood pressure medications can induce tinnitus more than others. Some studies have suggested that tinnitus is caused by reduced cochlear blood flow, which happens when medication is taken to lower blood pressure. Blood Pressure Medications and Tinnitus According to a published piece from the National Library of Medicine, the following types of blood pressure medications are generally associated with tinnitus. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) Inhibitors like benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, ramipril, and quinapril are related to tinnitus/ototoxicity. Beta-blockers Some beta-blockers are associated with tinnitus or other types of ototoxicity, including bisoprolol and metoprolol. Diuretics All diuretics cause tinnitus, especially those in the thiazide and potassium-sparing categories. A well-known thiazide diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide (“HCTZ”) and chlorthalidone. Some potassium-sparing diuretics include spironolactone and triamterene. Calcium channel blockers A common and possible cause of tinnitus is calcium channel blockers. These include amlodipine, diltiazem, nicardipine, and nifedipine. Discuss concerns with Healthcare Providers Tinnitus caused by blood pressure medication may not be permanent. The American Academy of Otolaryngology stated that tinnitus usually subsides within 1-2 weeks after a patient stops taking the blood pressure medication. Talk to your primary care physician or cardiologist before you refrain from taking the medication. A high dosage can worsen symptoms of tinnitus caused by medication usage. A lower dosage may be prescribed to reduce tinnitus symptoms. Talk to your provider before lowering your dosage and listen to what is recommended. Blood Pressure Medications that have not been linked to Tinnitus Although there are exceptions, here are some blood pressure medications that are not linked to tinnitus: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) When these are taken on their own, without any other blood pressure medications, they do not induce tinnitus. Examples of ARBs:
There have been some reports of tinnitus when taking ARBs, but usually when combined with diuretics. These include:
Just as some beta blockers can be linked to tinnitus, others are not. Usually, beta blockers don’t cause tinnitus. These include carvedilol and labetalol. What if changing Blood Pressure Medication is Not an Option? Medication is specifically prescribed based on a patient’s heart symptoms. Sometimes you can’t substitute it with another drug. Complete a hearing test and consultation with a hearing healthcare provider. Hearing aids may be a treatment option to mask tinnitus and improve hearing. If you, or a loved one, experiences hearing loss or tinnitus, please contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Our hearing aid providers offer hearing aid options that can be custom fit and programmed for your specific hearing needs. Tinnitus is an incurable ear disorder with symptoms that include a phantom ringing noise that only the person with these indicators can hear. It’s a continuous noise that can range from mild annoyance to torment.
Habituation exercises make the noises less bothersome. The Hidden Ailment Tinnitus is not a condition in and of itself. It is, however, the result of one or many underlying conditions. Hearing loss, head and neck injuries, infections, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), vestibular disorders such as acoustic neuroma, circulatory disorders, and Meniere’s Disease can lead to tinnitus. Vitamins, supplements, and medications may also cause these symptoms. About 50 million Americans and over 600 million across the globe are affected by it. That’s nearly 10-15 percent of the people, and most are unaware of this health issue. Dismissive Reactions and Tinnitus Treatments There are ways to treat tinnitus, from sound therapy to hearing aids with masking sounds. Some people get used to the noise to the point where it becomes less annoying. Others are fortunate enough to learn that there are treatment options. Ask yourself whether the noise bothers you. There’s a way to cope with it. Managing Tinnitus How an individual reacts to tinnitus is the key to better dealing with it. Some have an emotional, physical, or psychological reaction to it. You can train your brain to filter out repetitive stimuli, such as sound, from your conscious awareness through habituation. It’s the same as concentrating on something while mentally blocking out background noises or not feeling the clothing on your skin. Everyone who can hear is programmed to respond to noises that can suggest imminent danger, and it’s important not to miss these sounds. The brain cannot distinguish differences between an imaginary threat (tinnitus) and an actual danger. As a result, the emotional reaction that we make is the same. We get the stress and fight-or-flight response. It’s a vicious cycle. You can’t control the sound, but you can gain control over your reactions. How you react can lead to a healthier and more manageable way to deal with this phantom noise. Habituation through Meditation Meditation is a great tool to manage stress. It can be tricky to get the hang of it and focus at first, but with a lot of practice and patience, concentrating on something other than the noise, like breathing or the voice-recorded meditation, can help you ignore the tinnitus. When your mind starts wandering, you may begin noticing the tinnitus again. Simply bring your attention back to focus. For some, meditation can reduce the sound of tinnitus. If you’ve tried meditation, a change in diet, and various exercises, but the tinnitus remains, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Programmed hearing aids with a tinnitus masking feature might be the solution. Generally, symptoms of tinnitus are fleeting, but some people do have symptoms that are so relentless that they can affect their sleep, which can lead to poor mood and difficulty with concentration.
Tinnitus is more of an annoyance than a life-threatening condition. It is the symptom of an underlying problem. Anyone who constantly experiences symptoms of tinnitus may find navigating life a little more challenging than someone who does not have it. Even though there’s no cure, there are ways to find relief. The Cause If you notice symptoms of tinnitus, contact a hearing healthcare provider immediately. The sooner you receive help, the easier it is to control symptoms. Narrowing down the underlying cause will help them determine your best treatment option. 1. White Noise Machines A silent space is the worst environment for anyone with tinnitus. Your brain must redirect its attention to other noise and force the tinnitus into the background. White noise machines or apps can help with this problem. A constant, low-frequency sound will muffle the tinnitus and teach your brain to disregard the noise. Air conditioners, air purifiers, or refrigerators can conveniently be used instead of a white noise machine. 2. Do Not use Ototoxic Medicines If you notice tinnitus after taking a new medication, the pills may be the culprit. Some prescriptions or over-the-counter medications are ototoxic, indicating they can harm your hearing abilities. 3. Treatment Options There is currently no cure for tinnitus, but training your brain to ignore it is possible. If this training, the white noise machines, or changing your medication does not work, find a specialist who focuses on tinnitus treatment. Hearing aids or apps that connect to your hearing aids can drown out tinnitus symptoms. Some hearing aids feature a white noise generator which must be programmed into the device by a hearing instrument specialist. Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms of tinnitus and hearing loss? Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. |
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