Standard Treatments for Tinnitus

Tinnitus, which is characterized by auditory disruptions, can be a bothersome and a sign of hearing loss. Experiencers often hear ringing, roaring, buzzing, whooshing, hissing, humming or clicking noises, despite the absence of any external source of noise.

Fortunately, new therapies are allowing patients to enjoy practically tinnitus-free lives. Tinnitus therapy has the capacity to reduce and eliminate the typical sounds that tinnitus patients experience. Read on to find out more. 

Hearing Aids 

Tinnitus is often experienced as a sign of hearing loss. When you lose your hearing, your brain alters the way it processes noises. A hearing aid is a tiny device that increases the loudness of external sounds by using a microphone, amplifier and speaker. This may assist the brain in learning new ways of processing sound.

If you have tinnitus, you may realize that the better your hearing becomes, the less you notice your tinnitus. According to one poll of 230 healthcare experts, over 60% of people with tinnitus saw at least some improvement with a hearing aid, with approximately 22% experiencing considerable alleviation.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Retraining the brain’s response to tinnitus may be helpful for some individuals who experience tinnitus. Tinnitus retraining therapy combines the use of assistive technology, such as sound machines and hearing aids, with counseling. The goal is to make tinnitus noises unnoticeable.

The goal of TRT is to train the patient’s brain to disregard the noises they hear. Wearing a masking device or employing a sound machine in conjunction with tinnitus-impairment therapies helps the patient overcome their condition. It has been demonstrated that stress and worry may exacerbate tinnitus; thus, they are taught how to control their tension and relax.

Sound Machines 

Sound machines are another way to treat tinnitus that you might want to think about. They can be especially helpful at night when you’re trying to sleep, and hearing aids might not be a good idea. A sound machine is a great way to cover up the sounds that come from tinnitus, and it can be used at home.

Some smaller models can also be taken on trips and used there. Some machines are specifically made to help people with tinnitus. They can make noises like white noise or sounds from nature, like the ocean or the forest. A sound machine could also be a wearable device, like a hearing aid, but it wouldn’t need to amplify sounds.

Lifestyle Changes

There are some simple lifestyle changes, such as drinking less alcohol and quit smoking, that can help with tinnitus. 

If you can’t avoid loud things like concerts, sports games or noisy machines, at least protect your hearing. Put in earplugs or put on earmuffs. If you listen to music with headphones, turn the sound down low.

When you’re tired, the sound of the ringing might seem louder. Try to sleep for eight hours every night. Use a white noise machine in your bedroom or talk to your audiologist about other ways to fight fatigue. Stop drinking your coffee, soda or energy drink every day to see if the ringing stops. Most of the time, doctors say that caffeine can make tinnitus worse. 

Nicotine in cigarettes and other things can affect the blood vessels that bring oxygen to your ears. Also, it can make your blood pressure go up. Alcoholic drinks can also make your blood pressure go up. That could make you hear the ringing more. Reducing or stopping altogether might help.