Tinnitus Treatment Options: Effective Ways to Manage Ringing in the Ears
Although a constant ringing in your ears might seem like a mild annoyance, this condition, known as “tinnitus,” impacts hearing clarity. In this blog, we will look at effective tinnitus treatments to provide relief from this common hearing issue.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a hearing condition common in older adults that causes a ringing or other “phantom” noises in the ears. It can be constant or intermittent, and affect one or both ears. While for some people it may not be as noticeable or frequent, for those with more severe or constant ringing, tinnitus can be quite distracting, negatively impacting their hearing ability.
Additionally, although ringing is very common, some people experience different types of sounds, ranging from buzzing to humming, clicking, and roaring. The louder the noise, the more it interferes with your ability to hear.
What causes tinnitus?
The cause of tinnitus varies from person to person, but commonly includes one or more of the following:
- Ear infections or wax blockages can cause temporary tinnitus.
- Head or neck injuries that impact the inner ear.
- Some types of medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Inner ear disorders, such as Meniere’s disease.
- Chronic conditions, from diabetes to thyroid problems.
- Migraine headaches or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- High blood pressure.
- Risk factors, such as loud noise exposure, aging, being male, and alcohol/tobacco use.
How is tinnitus diagnosed?
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and determine possible causes. Once they rule out possible health conditions or medications, a hearing clinic such as Hearing Solutions provides hearing exams.
Performed by an audiologist, they can help determine the cause of your tinnitus. They will ask you to describe the type of sounds you are hearing to narrow down possible causes and conduct hearing tests to assess your level of hearing loss. From there, they can then recommend appropriate treatment.
Different Types of Tinnitus Treatment
Earwax Removal
If your doctor or hearing assessment finds that you have excess earwax, its removal will reduce the blockage and provide instant tinnitus relief.
Hearing Aids
If your audiologist determines that the cause of your tinnitus is hearing loss, they might recommend a hearing aid. Hearing aids reduce your listening effort in noisy environments, where the combination of ambient noise and the persistent ringing makes it difficult to hear voices.
With the right hearing aid, you can block out noise in the environment, so you require less effort to focus on listening. The best hearing aids for tinnitus relief mask the ringing, allowing your brain to focus on active sounds instead of the constant “phantom” sound caused by the tinnitus.
White Noise Machines
Adding low-level ambient noise while you sleep or even while you work can help reduce the disruptive effects of tinnitus. White noise machines work well for some people, as do sound recordings like the sound of falling rain, trickling water, or gentle wind blowing. Even background noise, such as a fan or air conditioner, can reduce tinnitus.
Sound Therapy Apps
Sound therapy apps create a more appealing sound in your ear to provide tinnitus relief. The use of soothing sounds, such as the ocean, music, or even white noise, as mentioned above, helps mask the ringing, making it easier to listen to important sounds, like conversations or a horn honking.
Sound therapy apps can be used with either headphones or a hearing aid, using Bluetooth connectivity. It is a subtle approach that is harder to detect and allows you to instantly experience tinnitus relief whenever you require it. Some apps even enable you to create a customized sound.
Treating Underlying Conditions
If your tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition, treating that condition can offer tinnitus relief. For example, if you have blood vessel conditions, medication or surgery can treat the issue and, in turn, eliminate or reduce symptoms such as tinnitus. As discussed above, this can include a long list of conditions, including:
- Meniere’s disease
- Diabetes
- Thyroid issues
- Migraine headaches
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can provide tinnitus relief, including exercise, meditative practices such as breathing and yoga, and a healthier diet. Quitting smoking and consuming less alcohol can also help in managing tinnitus, as both habits increase its risk. Lifestyle changes are important since they can reduce issues with underlying causes, including:
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Managing diabetes with improved glucose and insulin levels
- Overcoming vitamin and mineral deficiencies by eating more foods rich in zinc, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, B vitamins, etc.
- Reducing stress
Counselling
In some cases, different behavioural treatments can help you cope with tinnitus symptoms. For example, tinnitus retraining therapy uses a device to mask the noise of tinnitus in conjunction with counselling that trains you to reduce your reaction to the noise so that you experience less stress from the symptoms.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, on the other hand, is conducted by a psychologist or mental health professional who teaches you coping techniques to manage tinnitus and reduce stress.
Medication
Medication is not used to treat tinnitus, but instead to address either an underlying condition or to help reduce the side effects of hearing issues, such as depression or anxiety.
Speaking to your doctor about your tinnitus is a good place to start. They can rule out underlying conditions, consider the current medications you are taking, and determine whether a change in medications can help alleviate tinnitus symptoms. They might also refer you to an audiologist for a hearing test once they rule out factors other than hearing loss.
Contact Hearing Solutions for Expert Tinnitus Treatment
These tinnitus treatment tips can help in managing this condition. However, if you experience ringing or other noises in your ears, such as buzzing or clicking, it is always best to speak to your healthcare provider to rule out serious causes.
If you are experiencing ringing in your ears or other signs of hearing loss, the experts at Hearing Solutions can also help. Click here to learn more. You can also call us at 1-888-335-0771 or contact us here.
Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156.
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350162.
3. https://www.hearingdirectory.ca/help/hearing-loss/tinnitus-treatment.
