Treatments For Tinnitus
Whether you’re a tinnitus sufferer or not, you’ll be glad to know that there are a number of treatments that you can use to prevent this condition from affecting you. The key to preventing this condition is to understand what causes it and learn about the symptoms and treatment options.
Symptoms
Symptoms of tinnitus include a buzzing or ringing noise in the ears. There is no cure for this disorder, but treatments can help you get relief.
The first step is to contact your doctor. A doctor will examine your ears and ask you about your medical history. You will be asked to describe your tinnitus in detail. The doctor will also inquire about any medications you take. He or she may order tests to determine the cause of your tinnitus.
Your doctor will ask you about any symptoms you are having, including ear pain or fever. He or she will also pay attention to your emotional state. If you feel stressed, nervous, or depressed, you may have tinnitus.
If your doctor finds that you have tinnitus, they may prescribe medication to help you manage it. You can also avoid the things that make the noise worse. For example, you should not listen to music at a high volume. You should cover your ears when you are in a loud room or if you are working in an area with a lot of noise. You should also wear earplugs.
If your tinnitus is severe, your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist. An otolaryngologist specializes in ear, nose, and throat problems. He or she will look at your ears and may also perform special hearing tests to determine the cause of your tinnitus.
Diagnosis
Tinnitus, also called ringing in the ears, is a noise that the person is hearing inside his or her head. The noise can be continuous or intermittent and may be either high or low-pitched. Some people find tinnitus disorienting and distracting.
There are several underlying causes of tinnitus. Some of these can be otologic or pharmacologic, but they can also be caused by a head or neck tumor. If you have tinnitus, you should seek medical advice. There are treatment options available, including medications, surgery, or brain stimulation.
A detailed medical history can help the physician identify the underlying cause of your tinnitus. The doctor may also perform a physical examination. This includes examining the ear canal, nose, and neck. It should also include testing the cranial nerves to see if they are functioning properly. The physician can use a stethoscope to listen for vascular noise.
If you have a head and neck tumor, it can compress blood vessels, which can lead to tinnitus. The physician may order imaging tests to determine whether the tinnitus is due to a tumor or a more serious condition.
An MRI or CT scan is a specialized medical imaging procedure that can show changes in blood vessels near the ear. It is not normally done for tinnitus. However, it can be used to determine the cause of pulsatile tinnitus.
There are several causes of tinnitus, but the most common are related to the auditory system. Other causes include otosclerosis, a disorder of the inner ear.
Treatments
Whether you have chronic tinnitus or occasional ringing, there are treatments for tinnitus that may help you deal with it. These therapies include medications, psychological and behavioral interventions, and acoustic therapy. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to undergo several sessions over a period of months.
If you suffer from chronic tinnitus, you may benefit from counseling with a licensed mental health professional. This can help you learn relaxation techniques, coping strategies, and distraction skills. A tinnitus support group can also help.
You might want to try supplements that contain vitamins, herbs, and zinc. These nutrients can boost antioxidant function and improve tinnitus. However, they are not regulated by the FDA, so you should always check with a pharmacist before taking them.
You might also consider biofeedback, which teaches you control over your unconscious bodily functions. This might include stress reduction exercises, relaxation techniques, and learning how to listen to your body’s rhythms.
Other possible treatments for tinnitus include using hearing aids, which make outside sounds clearer. They are helpful for people who have age-related hearing loss. You should also consider getting a hearing test to determine the cause of your tinnitus. Some patients have improved tinnitus after using hearing aids.
Acupuncture, which involves inserting hair-thin metal needles into the skin, can relieve tinnitus. You can use it alone or in conjunction with electric stimulation.
Preventing hearing loss
Taking steps to prevent hearing loss from tinnitus can help you to maintain your quality of life. A tinnitus test can provide you with information about the cause of your tinnitus. Your healthcare provider can also help you to manage your tinnitus. There are many different types of treatment that can improve your symptoms.
Exposure to loud noises, particularly for prolonged periods, is a major risk factor for both tinnitus and hearing loss. Wearing ear protection when you are around loud noises can decrease your risk of developing both conditions.
Medications that have a negative effect on the auditory system can also lead to hearing loss. These drugs include aspirin, certain antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs. They may also lead to high-pitched ringing in your ears.
Using a humidifier, air conditioner, or dehumidifier can help to produce white noise. This sound is typically similar to ocean waves, static, or falling rain. This may be an effective way to treat tinnitus.
Exposure to loud music or power tools can lead to hearing loss. To protect your ears, wear earplugs when you use these devices. If you work in a noisy environment, talk to your employer about noise-protection measures.
If you have a family history of hearing loss, discuss the possibility of a hearing test with your healthcare provider. Your doctor may be able to identify the cause of your hearing loss and recommend treatment.
Masking
Using masking noise as a tool in a tinnitus management program can be very effective. There are a few things to keep in mind when using this technique, though.
The most important aspect of masking is to find a noise that is loud enough to be effective, but not so loud that it interferes with your ability to talk. The tinnitus pitch and bandwidth also need to be considered.
The most popular type of masking is the use of a sound that is filtered. These sounds are less distracting than pure tone ones, but they are also very labor-intensive to create.
Other masking techniques use a distraction. Some people may benefit from using a clock radio or cell phone app. They can be a fun way to mask tinnitus, but they are not effective for all people.
In some cases, using a combination of sound, hearing aids and counseling can be very effective. A good tinnitus evaluation is important to predict the success of your sound therapy.
For most people, the best method is trial and error. Identifying the most effective sound is a great first step. Ideally, you should consult with a clinician who can help you with this process. They will be able to assess your tinnitus and suggest a treatment that works for you.
While there are many different kinds of tinnitus maskers, the most successful ones tend to be combinations of a tinnitus-matching device, an audiogram, and a smartphone app. These devices are available for a range of price points, and many of them can be found on the Android and Apple platforms.
Meniere’s disease
Those with Meniere’s disease and tinnitus experience a range of symptoms. These include vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and pressure in the ears. It can be a very difficult condition to live with, but there are treatments available.
The first step to treating Meniere’s disease and tinnitus is to know the signs and symptoms. The most common symptom of Meniere’s is ear fullness, also called pressure in the head. It can be debilitating and cause emotional, muscular, and cognitive problems.
Some patients also report a low-pitched noise in their ears. This may be the result of acoustic trauma or other health problems. If the noise is a result of Meniere’s disease, ENT physicians can treat the condition.
The inner ear contains a fluid, called endolymph, which moves when the head moves. Excess endolymph in the labyrinth can interfere with normal balance and hearing signals. If the fluid builds up too much, it can cause a spinning sensation.
Symptoms can last for hours, or for days. The best treatment for Meniere’s disease and tinnitus involves an ENT physician. Depending on the severity of the disease, a number of treatments can help relieve the symptoms.
A few treatment options include behavior therapy, diet, and medication. Surgery is only considered if other treatments fail. Some cases are treated with prochlorperazine injections, which can relieve hydration and severe symptoms.
Changing your diet can be a good way to reduce the symptoms of Meniere’s disease and tinnitus. You may want to reduce the amount of salt you eat, as well as caffeine and other stimulants. This can also help with dizziness.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
