How common is Tinnitus during pregnancy? What causes a ringing in the ears during pregnancy? What can you do about Tinnitus during pregnancy? Let’s learn.
How common is Tinnitus during pregnancy?
You will be quite relieved to know that Tinnitus during pregnancy is quite common. It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 pregnant women will have Tinnitus. In contrast, the incidence rate among non-pregnant women is much lower at 1 out of every 10. And, if you had Tinnitus before pregnancy, there’s a 2/3 chance that it will get worse as your pregnancy progresses.
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Also, if you had Tinnitus when you were pregnant before, there is a very high chance that Tinnitus will return for every one of your subsequent pregnancies as well.
When will Tinnitus caused by pregnancy go away?
There’s good news. If your Tinnitus was caused by any of the pregnancy related conditions discussed below (blood pressure, fluid retention, hormonal changes etc.), it will usually go away (Transient Tinnitus) after you give birth or shortly after you give birth (a few weeks).
Also, if any of the following conditions are why you are experiencing Tinnitus, it will usually intensify in the second trimester (4-6 months).
How Severe is Your Tinnitus?
Find out by using this THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) Scoring Calculator
Can Pregnancy Cause Tinnitus?
Yes, it certainly can. Following are the most common ways in which your pregnancy causes Tinnitus
Blood pressure changes during pregnancy
Your middle and inner ears are very sensitive to blood pressure changes. When your blood pressure falls or rises, the amount of oxygen that is carried to the intricate structures in your ear are affected. Unfavorable changes can cause Tinnitus and other ear related problems such as Vertigo (balance issues), ear pain and even temporary or permanent hearing loss.
You must talk to your doctor about your changing blood pressure during pregnancy. This is because Tinnitus can often be a precursor or indicator of more serious blood pressure problems that might worsen as your pregnancy progresses.
The following are the three types of blood pressure changes that may be causing or worsening Tinnitus when you are pregnant.
Gestational hypertension
This usually occurs 20 weeks after your pregnancy has begun. If your blood pressure crosses 140/90 on two separate occasions that are more than 6 hours apart, you are said to have gestational hypertension.
Treatment for gestational hypertension usually involves watchful waiting and monitoring. While it can be managed with dietary changes, your doctor might keep tabs over it to see if it has the potential to develop into the following two complications that can become worrying.
Pre-Eclampsia
Affecting about 5% of pregnant women, pre-eclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman’s blood pressure crosses 160/110.
HELLP
Occurring in less than 1% of pregnant women, HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and a low platelet count. It usually comes on during the last trimester or after the birth of the baby. This can be a life threatening condition, for both mother and baby.
Pregnancy and Pulsatile Tinnitus
Pulsatile Tinnitus is when you hear a rhythmic swooshing or beating sound in your ears. This sound will usually coincide with your heart beat.
Pulsatile Tinnitus is more worrying that a regular ringing in the ears as studies have shown that pregnant women experiencing pulsatile Tinnitus have more chances of developing the three blood pressure disorders discussed above.
What can you do when your blood pressure is causing Tinnitus?
Please note that having Tinnitus does not mean that you will also suffer from HELLP, Pre-Eclampsia or even gestational hypertension for that matter. But, it will be prudent to talk to your doctor about your Tinnitus so they can keep an eye on your blood pressure levels that might have caused Tinnitus.
Water Retention and Swelling
Pregnancy causes fluid retention and localized swelling that can in turn cause Tinnitus, through the onset of Meniere’s disease. This study explores the connection between menopause and also pregnancy and Meniere’s disease.
What can you do for water retention that causes Tinnitus?
There are several ways to minimize water retention that can then in turn give you relief from Tinnitus. Reduce your salt intake as salt encourages water retention in the body. You can also talk to your doctor about taking a potassium supplement. Do not self-prescribe potassium for yourself but!
Other things you can do is reduce caffeine, hydrate yourself more and also try to keep your feet and legs elevated and in a rested position. Full length compression stockings that come up to your waist are also very good for reducing water retention.
Hormonal Changes
A pregnant woman’s progesterone and estrogen levels spike during pregnancy. These two hormones have a significant impact on your body’s nervous system, among several other aspects. There is a possibility that adverse changes can easily affect your brain’s auditory cortex, then causing Tinnitus Please read this detailed post we wrote about menopause and Tinnitus.
What can you do about hormonal changes causing Tinnitus?
Hormonal changes during pregnancy are natural. Hormonal balance is usually managed by diet, exercise, hydration and relaxation techniques that keep cortisol levels in check. Adequate sleep and a mind devoid of anxiety or depression can go a long way in keeping pregnancy hormones in balance.
Anemia
A study showed that almost 63% of pregnant women are anemic. Anemia can be caused by either iron, folate or Vitamin B12 deficiency. But, if your Tinnitus is being caused by anemia, it is most probably being caused by iron deficiency. Low levels of iron will result in a compromised production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to various parts of your body, including your ears. Inadequate supply of oxygen to your ears can easily result in Tinnitus.
What can you do about pregnancy anemia that causes Tinnitus?
A pregnant woman needs almost twice as much of iron as a woman who is not carrying a child. Dietary sources are the main way to introduce sufficient levels of iron in the body. Leafy greens, red meat, broccoli, legumes and dark chocolate have great quantities of iron.
However, please keep in mind that the consumption of some foods like red meats and dark chocolate needs to be managed well, as too much of those foods can cause problems of their own.
Inadequate Prenatal Supplements
Besides iron, folate and Vitamin B12 mentioned earlier, your body also needs healthy levels of calcium, Vitamins (A,C,D,E), zinc, copper, choline and magnesium. An inadequate supply of any of these micronutrients can result in a myriad of changes in your body that can then cause blood pressure or fluid retention changes. That can in turn cause Tinnitus, like explained earlier.
What can you do about inadequate supply of prenatal supplements?
Talk to your doctor about recommendations for a good prenatal supplement you can specifically take. We would recommend against buying OTC supplements as different brands have different nutrient compositions. Only your doctor can tell you what will specifically be beneficial or crucial for your pregnancy.
Also of interest to you might be this post we wrote about Tinnitus in children.
Non-Pregnancy Causes of Tinnitus
It is very possible that your Tinnitus might not be related to your pregnancy at all. Here are several other causes of Tinnitus.
Exposure to loud noise
Sudden exposure to loud noise can cause or worsen Tinnitus. If you think this might have caused Tinnitus during your pregnancy, it is advisable that you wear ear plugs for Tinnitus.
Jaw Problems
Problems such as clenched jaw or teeth grinding or even an injury to the neck that affects your jaw movement can cause Tinnitus. Learn more about Tinnitus when clenching jaw here.
Sinusitis
The last thing you want to get is Sinusitis when you are pregnant. Besides making you feel miserable, Sinusitis can also cause Tinnitus.
Excessive Sugar and Salt
It’s almost impossible to stop those cravings when you are pregnant. But, those indulgent treats that satisfy your cravings might be able to cause or worsen your Tinnitus. Read about the sugar and Tinnitus connection here.
Ear Wax and Q-Tip digging
Impacted ear wax or excessive ear wax can cause Tinnitus. Digging for that ear wax with a Q-Tip can also cause Tinnitus. Learn more about how ear wax causes Tinnitus here.
Allergies
When pregnant, be extra careful about avoiding allergens known to you. Allergies can clog up your Eustachian tube that connects your sinus cavities with your ear, causing Tinnitus.
Stress
Completely avoiding stress during pregnancy is virtually impossible. But, you must make a conscious effort to keep it under manageable levels. Meditation, prenatal yoga and even simple deep breathing exercises from time to time can keep stress levels in check. Talking to family and friends and engaging in pregnancy safe exercises can also help manage stress levels.
