One day, it happens- your ear starts ringing. The high-pitched noise, buzz, or hum in your head might create frustration and even annoyance. Finally, when it doesn’t subside, you decide to make a doctor’s appointment and learn you have a condition called tinnitus. The doctor may explain that tinnitus affects millions with no clear cure or cause. Unfortunately, many patients also hear that there’s nothing they can do about their tinnitus and leave the appointment more agitated than when they entered.
An audiologist can help you know why your ears are ringing and educate you on what you can do about it.
At Hearing Aids of Sarasota, we want to offer people with tinnitus the encouragement that living a normal life is entirely possible.
First, make an appointment with an audiologist. An audiologist doesn’t just work with people with hearing loss. We also work with people to identify, assess, and manage other conditions of hearing, balance, and other neural systems.
Then, know that an audiologist and other medical experts can explore definable causes of tinnitus. Often, although not always, tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss. Additionally, uncontrolled high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, head and neck tumors, or carotid artery problems can underlie tinnitus. An audiologist can assess possible hearing loss and make other medical referrals to examine potential causes.
Here are some ways you can take charge of tinnitus.
- Use a white noise device when you are working or sleeping. White noise can help to mask tinnitus and allow you to focus or sleep better. White noise machines are devices that produce environmental sounds like falling rain or blowing wind or sounds similar to static. Some models have pillow speakers or can sit on your desktop. Another way you can create white noise is by turning on a fan or a humidifier/dehumidifier. The gentle hum may make your tinnitus less noticeable when trying to work or sleep and provide you with symptom relief.
- See a mental health professional for cognitive-behavioral strategies if you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal as a result of your tinnitus. By learning coping strategies, you can live your life to its fullest.
- If your audiologist identifies accompanying hearing loss, they can also fit you with an appropriate aid, which can help alleviate tinnitus.
- Removing an earwax blockage can reduce tinnitus symptoms. An audiologist can safely remove your excess wax.
- Talk to your doctor to review any medications that may be known to cause tinnitus. Your doctor may be able to reduce the drug or switch you to a different medication altogether.
- Talk to your audiologist about Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). An individualized program, TRT combines counseling and sound therapy from a trained professional. This program can require several appointments with your audiologist, but it can be a highly effective way to cope with your tinnitus.
So, while there is no one-size fits all treatment or cure for tinnitus, we hope you can see there are many treatment avenues that mean you don’t just have to “live with it.” At Hearing Aids of Sarasota, we have a mission to help everyone who walks through our doors feel educated and empowered to live happy and full lives. We are just a call or click away from finding relief for tinnitus.
