How to stop ringing in ears is the question of more than 35 million Americans. One-fifth of people above 50 years also experience the condition. Medically, it is know as Tinnitus. It is the condition of perceiving sound in the ears even in the absence of an external source.

Tinnitus, by itself, is not a disease. It may be caused by other health conditions like hypertension. The most common cause is damage within the ears or the auditory nerves. Ear defects are usually caused by old age and prolonged exposure to very loud sounds.

Many old aged people experience Tinnitus due to hear loss. Hearing loss is caused by damaged ear nerves. In turn, the patient perceives a "non-physical" humming or screaming.

Treatment
There are several methods on how to stop ringing in ears and the choice depends on the cause of the condition. Treatment is easier with mechanical removal of physical causes. On the other hand, drug and surgery solutions are still in the test and development stage.

1. Physical Obstructions and Hypertension
The body has natural internal sounds. Accumulation of ear wax or foreign body obstruction masks external sounds. This make the ears more tuned in to internal body sounds, which result in Tinnitus.

To stop ringing in ears, the wax or obstruction should be removed. Hearing tests must then be conducted. This should remove or lower the intensity of ringing.

Hypertension and cardiovascular problems can also cause the ringing problem. The nerves of the ears are located very close to the blood stream. This is usually identified with the rhythmic (in sync with the heartbeats) nature of the annoying sound. Treating the cardiovascular problem will cure the Tinnitus.

2. Restoration of Hearing
Hear loss is the primary cause of Tinnitus. Though external sounds cannot be perceived, the nerves of the ears are still "sensitive" to internal body sounds. This means that any method of hearing restoration will lessen the symptoms.

A popular method is cochlear implantation. Cochlear implants partially restore hearing. While doing so, implants may partially or totally stop ringing in ears. For those with partial deafness (usually associated with age), hearing aids produce the same effect as implants do.

3. Drugs and Supplements
Deficiency in specific nutrients may cause Tinnitus. Studies show that Zinc deficiency increases the risks of having the condition. This can be solved by regular intake of supplements like zinc capsules and Lipoflavonoids. Some patients can be given Melatonin. This drug will help solve sleep disorders related to Tinnitus.

Several anesthetics, in minute amounts, are proven to temporarily stop ringing in ears. A good example of an injected drug is Lidocaine. It is injected to the inner ear muscles to inhibit the symptoms.