What is the best way to treat tinnitus?
If you suffer from tinnitus, a phantom sound often described as rushing, ringing, buzzing or whooshing, chances are your feelings about it range anywhere from annoying to intense and debilitating.
Although tinnitus is most common with people who have some level of hearing loss, people with normal hearing can also suffer from tinnitus.
Some people might hear it in one or both ears, be high or low pitched and the symptoms can last anywhere from two minutes to chronic and constant.
that is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is sound which is perceived from within the ear when there is no external sound source.
Sometimes the sound is barely noticeable and for others it’s constant which can be very distressing, especially at night when the environment is particularly quiet.
that causes tinnitus?
There isn’t a singular cause of tinnitus, but rather a byproduct of many other factors.
The most common include: exposure to loud noise, the good ol’ joys of the ageing process, ear wax or certain medications.
Tinnitus is not a disease or disorder in itself, but rather a symptom of a disturbance in a person’s delicate hearing system.
Effects of tinnitus
The effects of tinnitus can include trouble sleeping, irritability, pain, poor concentration, depression and or anxiety.
If the perception that tinnitus is interfering with one’s ability to hear, this can also result in a person withdrawing from social activities and can add strain to relationships.
If tinnitus is affecting your quality of life, it’s important to see a hearing specialist to have a proper evaluation which would include a hearing test to rule out more serious underlying conditions.
How to treat tinnitus
Once you have seen a hearing specialist and narrowed down the cause of tinnitus, management plans can be discussed and what can be implemented if needed.
These can include:
Reducing noise exposure: Important if you work in a noisy industry.
Reducing tinnitus triggers: Ensuring you’re getting enough sleep or reducing alcohol and caffeine.
Sound Generators: Can provide relief and come in a variety of different forms, with both table top and under pillow options available.
Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is the cause, hearing aids that have dedicated tinnitus masking programs can help wonders.
Clinically researched and shown to provide faster and larger reduction in tinnitus, wouldn’t it be great to rid its symptoms for good?