Is Ringing Ears During Pregnancy A Common Phenomena?

Pregnancy is an exciting time for an expectant mother, although it can also be one of the most stressful due to the radical changes taking place within the body. As the body changes, strange and sometime unusual phenomena may take place. One such phenomena is a medical condition known as tinnitus, also referred to as ringing in the ears. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, does not only affect pregnant women, worldwide one in five individual are affected by the condition.

However, in pregnant women, tinnitus takes on a more troubling dimension because it seems to come from out of nowhere and can be a frightening experience for those who never experienced it. For those who have experienced tinnitus in the past, pregnancy seems to heighten the severity, frequency and duration of the annoying sounds. Needless to say, with the many already aggravations of pregnancy from the morning sickness to the mental doubts, ringing in the ears is an unwelcome presence.

Aspects of Pregnancy Leading to Tinnitus

So, what exactly brings on the ringing ears during pregnancy? Scientific research on the subject has revealed the following connections:

• High blood pressure has been known to cause or to intensity tinnitus. In pregnant women, blood pressure levels can become elevated and lead to hypertension.


• The increased levels of emotional and physical stress, coupled with the fatigue experienced by pregnant women also heighten awareness and brings on episodes of tinnitus. It appears that the expectant mothers increased sensitivity to her surroundings also makes her more sensitive to the triggers that cause tinnitus.


• Depression is common in expectant and new mothers, which is known as pre and postpartum depression. Unfortunately, this medical condition has been known to lead to tinnitus among susceptible individuals.


• The use of anti-depression drugs have also been known to trigger tinnitus

For some women, the ringing in the ears they experienced during pregnancy does not stop after the baby has been delivered. New mothers are constantly under emotional and physical stress caring for a newborn. Stress is one of the leading causes of tinnitus; therefore, experiencing tinnitus after the baby is born is not an unusual occurrence.

Safe Treatments
Fortunately, there is good news for tinnitus sufferers including expectant mothers. Ringing in the ears can be significantly lessened in intensity, severity and duration, if not completely eliminated during and after pregnancy. Since expectant mothers have to think of the unborn baby, they must seek medical advice before taking any medication to reduce the affects of tinnitus. Your doctor is the best professional to perform diagnostic tests to determine and treat the causes of your tinnitus.

Adapting a healthy lifestyle will help you reduce the symptoms associate with tinnitus. This includes:

• Avoid possible irritants like loud noises in the environment. Wearing ear plugs when around loud noises to block out loud sounds will help.


• Use white noise to mask any ringing sounds you may be suffering from. White noise machines can be purchased; however, playing a radio or TV softly in the background is just as effective.


• Take care of your heart's health. Taking care of your heart will help you avoid high blood pressure. Studies have shown that high blood pressure is one of the causes of tinnitus.

By talking to your doctor and taking the necessary step to prevent or cope with the ring in the ear sounds you hear during your pregnancy, you will be able to enjoy your pregnancy without the unwanted ringing sounds brought on by your pregnancy.