Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32431/
Modified and translated by CFJA
What Are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?
Tinnitus (Jiméi) is commonly referred to as miminari (ringing in the ears) in Japanese. Many people notice a “kiiin” ringing sound inside their head when they become fatigued. The sound usually lasts only a few seconds.
Tinnitus is defined as “the perception of sound within the ears despite there being no external sound source.” Tinnitus is broadly classified into subjective tinnitus and objective tinnitus. However, objective evaluation is extremely difficult, and at present, there are no established diagnostic tests (Byōki ga Mieru Vol. 13: Otolaryngology, p.21).
Tinnitus is a common symptom for which people visit acupuncture clinics, seeking improvement. Because it often resolves in a short time, many people ignore it. However, those who come for treatment usually experience tinnitus continuously. Since it is perceived around the ears, it is most often described as ear ringing.
In many cases, the sound is heard in one ear, so patients are asked, “Do you hear the tinnitus in your right ear or left ear?” That said, quite a few people report hearing it in both ears, and many note that the quality of sound differs between the two sides.
The way tinnitus is perceived varies: some describe it as a high-pitched ringing, others as a low buzzing, or even like the sound of cicadas.
In long-term cases, some patients report hearing the sound inside their head, which is referred to as head tinnitus (Zumei). Some even hear multiple types of sounds simultaneously, coming from different directions within the head. Because head tinnitus may be associated with brain abnormalities, consultation with a medical specialist is strongly recommended.
When Do People Experience Tinnitus?
I personally experience tinnitus at times as well. I usually hear a short, high-pitched “kiiin” sound, most often when I am feeling strong physical fatigue. The underlying causes are often lack of sleep or long hours of work. When I notice tinnitus, it makes me think, “I should go to bed earlier” or “I should finish work earlier today.”
All symptoms are signs that the body is fatigued or that internal organ function is declining. I try to listen gratefully to these “messages” from the body. The key point is whether or not you take the opportunity to adjust your lifestyle at this stage. If you do not, the frequency of tinnitus can progress from a few times per day to dozens of times per day, eventually lasting all day long. The sound may gradually intensify and spread to both ears, interfering with daily life. If strong tinnitus continues for a week or more, it may even lead to mental health disorders. For this reason, I recommend taking action as soon as tinnitus is noticed.
When examining the bodies of patients who visit acupuncture clinics, decreased kidney function is frequently observed. Kidney function is thought to decline as a result of lifestyle factors such as:
- Excessive consumption of cold foods or spicy foods
- Eating or engaging in intense exercise after 10:00 p.m.
- Lack of sleep (less than 6 hours)
- Excessive cooling of the body from the outside (air conditioning below 25°C)
- Excessive sexual activity (including masturbation)
During summer, many trains, offices, and workplaces are set to low room temperatures. When the outdoor temperature is high, sweating increases. Entering a cold indoor space without wiping away sweat allows the sweat to cool rapidly, causing a drop in body temperature. Repeating this process contributes to kidney fatigue. Similarly, sleeping in an air-conditioned room throughout the night also places a heavy burden on the kidneys.
When the kidneys begin to weaken, urination may exceed five to six times a day. Additional signs include heaviness in the lower back or legs and cramping (spasms) in the calves at night. If such symptoms appear, I strongly recommend improving the lifestyle habits listed above.