Tinnitus is the sound of ringing, roaring, buzzing, hissing, or clicking that occurs inside the head. It is a common problem that can affect your quality of life, but it rarely indicates a serious health problem. Here are some things you can do to help manage tinnitus:
-
Earwax removal: Removing an earwax blockage can decrease tinnitus symptoms.
-
Treating underlying health conditions: If your tinnitus is caused by an underlying health condition, treating that condition may reduce your symptoms. Examples include treating a blood vessel condition or changing your medication.
-
Using hearing aids: If your tinnitus is caused by noise-induced or age-related hearing loss, using hearing aids may help improve your symptoms.
-
Adding soothing sounds: Tinnitus may bother you more when its quiet, so try distracting yourself from the ringing in your ears by playing soft music, turning on a fan, or using a white noise machine.
-
Limiting exposure to loud sounds: Over time, exposure to loud sounds can damage the nerves in the ears, causing hearing loss and tinnitus. To keep your tinnitus from getting worse, take steps to protect your hearing. If you use chain saws, are a musician, work in an industry that uses loud machinery or use firearms (especially pistols or shotguns), always wear over-the-ear hearing protection. Turn down the volume when listening to music through headphones.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT uses techniques such as cognitive restructuring and relaxation to change the way you think about and respond to tinnitus. This can help reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life.
-
Medications: Some medications may ease tinnitus by addressing a problem related to the condition. Medications may also improve mood or sleep.
-
Counseling and relaxation techniques: Meeting with a counselor or support group, or practicing relaxation techniques, may provide relief for some people as stress may make tinnitus worse.
Its important to note that there is no scientifically proven cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment and management options available. If you are experiencing tinnitus, its best to see a healthcare provider for a hearing test and to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
