Tinnitus is a medical term for ringing in the ears; it’s a sound that only you can hear and nobody else would be aware of. Some forms of tinnitus can feel like a soft pulsing, and others could be a loud humming sound that blocks out other noises in your surroundings. Without any treatment, tinnitus can cause concentration and sleep issues and can be frustrating to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Although there is no cure for tinnitus, there are several treatments that can help to reduce the symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. Whether it’s noise related tinnitus, or tinnitus caused by certain lifestyle choices, here are a few different treatments to explore.

Sound Machines and Hearing Aids

Many people with tinnitus find it helpful to sleep with a sound machine or use a noise generating app on your phone. This can help to drown out any louder sounds caused by your tinnitus so that it can help you relax and drift off peacefully. You can also wear hearing aids with masking features to help reduce any ringing sounds in your ears.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Your audiologist may be able to help you with a TRT program which is tailored to your specific needs. Sound masking and counseling is usually part of the process and it can help to mask your tinnitus symptoms and reduce any stress caused by your diagnosis.

Medication Alterations

There are certain prescription medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants and cancer drugs which have been linked to symptoms of tinnitus. Research shows that they can damage some of the sensory cells within the inner ear, which can lead to tinnitus. These are also often referred to as ototoxic medications, so if you take any medications and talk with your general practitioner about possibly lowering your dosage.

Earwax Removal

After a consultation with your audiologist, you may find that earwax buildup is a contributing factor to your tinnitus. In some cases, professional earwax removal can help to improve tinnitus symptoms, and it can also improve your hearing too. You should never attempt to remove ear wax by yourself; always consult an audiologist and schedule an appointment for a professional earwax removal procedure.

Improve Overall Lifestyle

Making better lifestyle choices such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and eating a more nutritious diet can help to reduce the intensity of tinnitus symptoms. Your overall health can have an impact on your hearing, so as soon as you improve your lifestyle for the long run you may start to notice an improvement.

If you think you are experiencing tinnitus, you may want to schedule an appointment with your audiologist to confirm it. They will be able to diagnose your tinnitus and provide you with the appropriate next steps to help you relieve your symptoms of tinnitus. Tinnitus is something that many people in the United States live with daily and is a very common diagnosis. With the right support and treatment options you can have a better quality of life.