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Igor bališ tinnitus: why the west brom footballer went home

Igor Bališ is a Slovak footballer who played for West Bromwich Albion in England and for the Slovakia national team.

Article Updated: October 9, 2026 6 min read
In your area In Columbus, more adults are researching ear noise, hearing health and ways to discuss persistent tinnitus with healthcare professionals.

Igor Bališ is a Slovak footballer who played for West Bromwich Albion in England and for the Slovakia national team. His name comes up in discussions of tinnitus because of a decision he made in 2003, when ringing in his ears returned and changed the course of his time in English football.

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What is known about Igor Bališ and tinnitus

According to Sky Sports, in 2003, after a Premiership season with West Bromwich Albion, Bališ left the club on medical grounds and went back to Slovakia following a recurrence of tinnitus. The word recurrence suggests the problem had appeared before, although the reports cited here do not describe its cause or the care he received.

His story stands out because it shows that tinnitus is not only an issue for musicians. It can affect people in every kind of job, and for some it becomes a serious factor in big life and career choices. Most people with ringing ears, though, learn to manage it well with the right support.

Sources: Balis quits Baggies (Sky Sports, 2003); Igor Bališ (Wikipedia)

Why athletes and sports fans should think about their ears

Sport is not usually linked with hearing problems, but packed stadiums can be very loud, especially in enclosed grounds or at key moments of a match. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends limiting exposure to 85 decibels averaged over eight hours, halving the safe time for every 3 decibels more. Noise is also only one of several possible triggers for tinnitus. Common factors include:

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  • Crowd and stadium noise, from chanting, horns and loudspeakers, especially for people who attend many events.
  • Head and neck injuries, which doctors recognize as a possible trigger for ringing in the ears.
  • Ear infections and blocked ears, including earwax buildup or fluid after a cold.
  • Some medicines, such as high doses of aspirin and certain antibiotics, which can affect the inner ear.
  • Stress and poor sleep, which do not cause tinnitus on their own but can make it feel louder.
See a doctor promptly if: ringing starts after a blow to the head, comes with dizziness, headache or confusion, is only in one ear, pulses with your heartbeat, or arrives with sudden hearing loss. A head injury with confusion, repeated vomiting or worsening headache needs emergency care, so call 911.

Simple habits to protect your hearing at games and at home

Whether you play, coach or cheer from the stands, a few steady habits help keep your ears in good shape:

Habit How to do it Why it helps
Earplugs at loud events Keep foam or filtered earplugs in your bag for matches, concerts and fireworks Lowers the sound reaching the inner ear
Report head knocks Tell a coach, trainer or doctor about any blow to the head followed by ringing or dizziness Allows a proper check before you return to play
Rest after noise Plan quiet time after a loud game day Gives tired ears a chance to recover
Daily ear support A formula you have reviewed with your doctor Everyday support for ears and mind

Compact earmuffs are another option for big games, since they slip on and off quickly when the crowd gets noisy.

Professional athletes travel a great deal, and flying can bring its own ear troubles. Pressure changes during takeoff and landing can leave the ears feeling blocked, especially with a cold or allergies. Swallowing, yawning or chewing gum on descent helps the ears equalize. If an ear stays blocked, painful or ringing for more than a day or two after a flight, it is worth having it looked at.

Living with tinnitus can also affect concentration and mood, which matters in any job that demands focus. Support from a doctor, an audiologist or a therapist trained in CBT can make a real difference. Many people find that once they understand the sound and have a plan, it becomes much less of a worry, and they get on with work, training and family life.

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What tinnitus is, in plain terms

Tinnitus is hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing or humming that is not coming from the world around you. Most often it is subjective, meaning only the person hears it. In rare objective cases a doctor can hear the sound too, usually because of blood flow or muscle movement near the ear. Tinnitus can come and go, and it can return after quiet periods.

Many people find that the brain gradually stops paying so much attention to the sound, a process called habituation. Sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hearing aids when there is hearing loss can all make tinnitus easier to live with. An audiologist or ear, nose and throat doctor can help you choose.

A closer look at the ZenCortex formula

Lately, plenty of people with ringing ears have been talking about ZenCortex, and many have made it a steady part of their daily routine as a simple habit for hearing and focus. The company describes it as a liquid formula with over 20 carefully selected ingredients, made in the USA, non-habit forming and free of stimulants. Among them:✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →

  • Grape seed and green tea, two sources of plant antioxidants
  • Panax ginseng and astragalus, herbs with a long traditional use for vitality and clarity
  • Gymnema sylvestre and capsicum annuum, part of the botanical blend
  • Chromium picolinate and maca root, included for overall energy and well-being
Stay on top of your daily routine
Order ZenCortex from the official website for the best price per bottle, free US shipping on 6 bottles and the 60-day guarantee.

How to get started today

  1. Get checked by a professional. An audiologist or doctor can test your hearing and look for causes such as earwax, infection or injury.
  2. Notice when it flares. Our free Tinnitus Diary lets you record loud events, training days, sleep and how the ringing changes.
  3. Add daily support for ears and mind. Here many readers choose ZenCortex.
  4. Choose the best value. The 6-bottle package has the lowest price per bottle, free US shipping and two bonus e-books.
Today’s best-value offer
  • $49 per bottle on the 6-bottle package (save $780)
  • Free US shipping on every 6-bottle order
  • 2 free bonus e-books on hearing and memory
  • 60-day money-back guarantee
Prices and bonuses are set by the manufacturer and can change at any time. See today’s availability on the official ZenCortex page.

Common questions

Why did Igor Bališ leave West Bromwich Albion?
According to Sky Sports, he left the club on medical grounds in 2003 and returned to Slovakia after his tinnitus came back. The reports cited do not give medical details.

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Can tinnitus come back after it goes away?
Yes. Ringing can fade and return, often after loud noise, illness, stress or poor sleep. A diary can help you spot what brings it back.

Is ZenCortex okay with my medicines?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to check the label against your medicines and supplements before you begin.✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →

Where can I order ZenCortex?
Only on the official website, which lists the packages, the two bonus e-books and the 60-day money-back guarantee.

In summary

In 2003, Igor Bališ left West Bromwich Albion on medical grounds and returned to Slovakia after a recurrence of tinnitus. His story is a reminder that ringing ears can affect anyone. Protecting your hearing at loud events, reporting head knocks, getting a hearing test and tracking your symptoms are practical steps for everyone.

With earplugs ready for the next big match, now is the perfect time to try ZenCortex, with free shipping on every 6-bottle order and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Federal nursing-home job aid targets a long-running staffing gap Next article → Federal nursing-home job aid targets a long-running staffing gap

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Daily Health View Editorial Team

Health & Wellness Editorial Desk

The Daily Health View Editorial Team prepares educational health content with an emphasis on clarity, responsible presentation and reference-based information.

Daily Health View Editorial content Updated October 9, 2026

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