The Hear the World Foundation estimates that the ear is the most powerful sensory organ. It can process more sensations per second than our eyes, but many Americans neglect its importance. In one study, almost 90% of respondents answered that they wouldn’t want to admit to hearing loss. This makes conversations about hearing issues very difficult, and prevents people from learning more about tinnitus and how it can affect your daily life. If you are suffering from hearing loss or another hearing issue, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition in which you hear noise or ringing in your ears. In most cases, tinnitus isn’t perceivable by anyone else, only the individual can hear the phantom noise. This noise may come and go, and range from a dull roar or a high pitch squeal. Sometimes, the sounds can be loud enough to interfere with your hearing or your ability to concentrate. The Mayo Clinic reports that 15 to 20% of Americans suffer from tinnitus. Tinnitus is usually associated with hearing, but it is often actually an auditory processing problem that begins in the brain, not in the ears.
Tinnitus is usually a symptom of a different problem, and although tinnitus can be extremely bothersome, it usually isn’t serious. It is often associated with age-related hearing loss, but tinnitus itself doesn’t cause hearing loss. Many times, people develop tinnitus after exposure to loud noises for a long period of time, such as a concert or heavy equipment. Tinnitus can also be caused by head injuries or dysfunctions in certain sections of the ear. Additionally, medications can also cause tinnitus, as can certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure.
Tinnitus can be difficult to treat, often due to the fact that each person experiences tinnitus a little different. Not only do people not like to discuss hearing problems, tinnitus is difficult to describe. The condition is real, but the experience is often called “phantom noise.” Your healthcare provider typically has to rely on your description of the phenomenon, in order to make a proper diagnosis.
How Can I Make it Stop Instantly?
Audiologists are researching different treatments to restore the signals to the brain that are causing tinnitus. Working with a healthcare provider to find the cause of your tinnitus can help the sensation stop. Most treatments don’t always stop the tinnitus immediately, but there are many strategies that you can try to make tinnitus less annoying. One of the first and most important steps to take, is to discuss your situation with your doctor to determine if there is a cause that can be eliminated.
Hearing aids have many functions that help reduce tinnitus, and an audiologist may also suggest sound therapy to mask the noise of tinnitus. This can come through a wearable device, such as a hearing aid, or you can try playing soft music or running a fan in the background to create white noise. According to WebMD, tinnitus can often get worse in a silent environment.
What Else Can I Do?
It can help to track your tinnitus symptoms, to learn what makes the symptoms worse and what helps. Tinnitus can be triggered by many external factors, food, drink, background environment and stress. When you’re tracking your symptoms, try to make notes about the sounds you experience. Do the sounds change at different times? What are you hearing? Being able to describe your symptoms can help with diagnosis and treatment. Track any over the counter medications you take, supplements, aspirin or other pain relievers and vitamins.
Along with professional help, there are lifestyle changes that can help you manage your tinnitus more effectively. Here are some strategies that often help with tinnitus.
- If you smoke, you should stop. Smoking harms your blood flow, which can affect the cells that control your sense of sound. Smoking also acts like a stimulant, making the ringing louder.
- Therapy to help you deal with the stress of tinnitus. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you have a better quality of life by changing your negative thought patterns.
- Relaxation and mediation can also help the symptoms of tinnitus. Chronic conditions often cause stress and pain. Mindfulness can help your body deal with tinnitus.
- Get enough sleep. Fatigue exacerbates symptoms of many health conditions. Because tinnitus can often disrupt sleep, it turns into a vicious cycle. Try to keep to a routine. Use white noise at night to help you sleep.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol. Both act as stimulants, much like smoking.
- Find a distraction, such as a hobby. Stay active, not to the point of avoidance, but to have a full life with family and friends.
- Always protect your hearing when you’re in a loud environment for a long time. Wear ear plugs to reduce the effect of the noise, because it can make your tinnitus worse. Keep music at lower levels when listening through a headset or earbuds.
- Give your ears a break from loud noises. If you’re working around heavy equipment or at a nightclub, after an hour, take a break.
- Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications have been shown to reduce tinnitus in some cases.
Learn about tinnitus and talk about it, join a support group and let your family know that it bothers you. It’s stressful to hide your condition and not be able to deal with it. The more you know, the more equipped you are to deal with the symptoms. You may discover other coping techniques that have helped others deal with tinnitus.
Tinnitus can be distressing. If you’re having problems with daily life activities, such as an inability to sleep, work or hear, you should talk to your doctor. You may also want to see an audiologist.
Don’t Suffer With Tinnitus
If you live with tinnitus, get an evaluation from an experienced audiologist. Learn what your treatment options are to prevent the ringing in your ears from dominating your daily life. Harbor Audiology, a top hearing aid store in Washington, offers diagnosis and treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus. Contact us for more information and to make an appointment.
