>Tinnitus (pronounced tin-night'-iss) is a ringing in the ears that often follows loud noise exposure. Musicians in particular may notice this after playing a gig. The gig might be over, but your ears are still ringing. For some performers, tinnitus is only temporary. It's frustrating and annoying, but it normally doesn't last. However, with long-term exposure to high sound pressure levels, it can become permanent. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, and more than seven million people are afflicted so severely that they cannot lead normal lives.

>What Causes Tinnitus?

>Within the cochlea, a snail-shaped inner ear structure, are tiny hair cells. If you could unroll this, it would look like a piano keyboard, with all the different frequencies represented on it. Any sound wave that hits these hair cells stimulates the acoustic nerve. These nerve impulses then travel to the brain's hearing centers for interpretation.

>Excessive noise levels damage this system by destroying hair cells, interrupting the nerve signals to the brain. Higher frequencies are typically the first to be affected, making it hard to distinguish between some consonants. For example, the word "fish" could be mistaken for "fist."

>Tinnitus is not normally accompanied by ear pain. If your ears hurt, see an ear specialist immediately, as tinnitus can also be a symptom of more serious middle ear problems such as infection, a hole in the eardrum, an accumulation of fluid or stiffening (otosclerosis) of the middle ear bones. Other causes of tinnitis include ototoxic drugs, wax buildup in the ear, allergiessinus infection, congestion, jaw or bite misalignment (TMJ disorder), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Meniere's disease, a tumor on the auditory nerve, underactive thyroid, head or neck trauma and medications (such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, anti-depressants, sedatives and aspirin).

>What Can You Do About Tinnitus?

>If you hear buzzing or ringing in you ears for a prolonged period, this may be a sign of hearing damage. See an ear specialist (otolaryngologist) or an audiologist. They can determine whether or not you've got a hearing problem, and they may have some helpful suggestions.

>Various treatment therapies that have proven helpful in coping with tinnitus include counseling, drug therapy, behavioral modeling, cognitive therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis and acupuncture. Dental treatment for jaw problems may prove effective for some people, along with patient education, retraining therapy and support groups.

>It's important to know that there is no cure for tinnitus - research has proven that destroyed hair cells are not replaced, so a noise-induced hearing loss is permanent. However, there are some things that you can do to help make sure your condition doesn't get any worse.

>· Get an examination by an ear specialist.

· Get a hearing test by an audiologist.

· Avoid alcohol, caffiene, nicotine and recreational drugs, as all of these can aggravate tinnitus. Even though aspirin and some antibiotics can worsen tinnitus, your doctor can help you regulate the dose to minimize the side effects.

· Avoid exposure to high sound pressure levels (sound levels on stage can be as high as 115 decibels, which can cause damage in as little as a few seconds).

· Wear earplugs when possible. If you play music, consider getting custom earplugs for music attenuation to protect your hearing without distorting sound (for more information on high fidelity hearing protection, go to www.etymotic.com ).

· If possible, give your ears a 10-30 minute break in a quiet area away from the stage.

· Get adequate rest and try to sleep with your head elevated to reduce head congestion.

· There are many sound-masking devices available that produce soothing sounds, which can help you sleep.

· Exercise and eat healthy foods.

· Drink plenty of water. Overheating and dehydration can aggravate tinnitus.

· Reduce stress and fatigue in your daily life, as they can aggravate tinnitus, too. Smile! A positive attitude really helps.

· Don't be afraid to talk about your tinnitus to family and friends so they can appreciate the scope of your problem.