Tinnitus Treatment

There are many treatment options for tinnitus. Most should be performed by professionals only because tinnitus can be a sign of a deeper problem. If you are interested in the symptoms of this condition, please check out our article titled ‘’Symptoms of Tinnitus’’. Even if you suspect that you have this ailment it is best to contact a professional to get a proper diagnosis.

The main objective for all tinnitus treatment options is to lower the perceived burden of tinnitus, allowing the patient to live a more comfortable life. CBT can help with anything involving negative perceptions. We have an article on CBT and how it can improve your life regarding tinnitus.

There is currently no scientifically proven cure for most cases of chronic tinnitus. The search for a definitive cure is still going on and some progress is being made, but we have yet to discover a cure.  However, excellent tools such as CBT and meditation can lessen the burden of this ailment. These currently available treatments are not cures per se, they do not heal the patient but they lessen the discomfort of the patient to some degree.

Even though there is currently not a cure there are a lot of things that can be used to cope with it. More than just sitting around and meditating every second of the day. Instead, you can use these things to make your life easier.

Earwax removal

Removing impacted earwax can decrease tinnitus symptoms.

Changing your medication

If a medication you’re taking appears to be the cause of tinnitus contact your doctor about it. Do not get off the medication without contacting your doctor beforehand.

Noise suppression

In some cases, white noise may help suppress the sound so that it’s less bothersome. Your doctor may suggest using an electronic device to suppress the noise. Devices include:

White noise machines. These machines make sounds that mask the ringing in your ears. From ocean waves to static noises. I have heard many people tell me that it helps them to sleep at night. It has been proven that ocean waves are very relaxing and can help patients to wind down and sleep all through the night.

Hearing aids. These can be especially helpful if you have hearing problems as well as tinnitus. But please note that hearing aids do not always help with tinnitus.

Masking devices. These are worn in the ear like hearing aids. They are a mixture of hearing aids and white noise machines. It makes sounds like ocean waves in your ear that drowns out the ringing.

Tinnitus retraining. A wearable device delivers individually programmed tonal music to mask the specific frequencies of the tinnitus you experience. After a while, you may not even be able to hear the ringing anymore. Counseling is often a component of tinnitus retraining.

Medications

There are no medications that can cure tinnitus now, but in some cases, they may help reduce the severity of symptoms. Possible medications are:

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, have been used with some success. Keep in mind these are typically only used for severe tinnitus, as they can cause troublesome side effects, including dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and heart problems.

Alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax) may help reduce tinnitus symptoms, but side effects can include drowsiness and nausea. It can also become habit-forming.

Contact us for a professional to speak to so that you can know what medication may be proper for you.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Often, tinnitus can’t be treated. Some people, however, get used to it and notice it less than they did at first. For many people, certain adjustments make the symptoms less annoying. These tips may help:

Avoid possible irritants. Reduce your exposure to things that may make your tinnitus worse. Common examples include loud noises, caffeine, and nicotine.

Cover up the noise. In a quiet setting, a fan, soft music or low-volume radio static may help to drown out the noise from tinnitus.

Manage stress. Stress can make tinnitus worse. One can benefit from acquiring a calming self-care routine. Focus on calming yourself and do things that you know will calm your mind. The more stress you feel the louder tinnitus tends to get so make sure to take time to breathe and calm your mind.

Reduce your alcohol consumption. Alcohol increases the force of your blood by dilating your blood vessels, causing greater blood flow, especially in the inner ear area. And those with pulsatile tinnitus will find this to be very distressing. Please dial back on alcohol consumption.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment to treat your tinnitus. We can help you on your way to improving your life and mindset.