Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ears: Here are 6 ways to Reduce It

It can be a little uncomfortable and disconcerting to realize that you have ringing in your ears. There are many reasons why this could be the case. If it’s a long-term issue, then you’ll have a condition called tinnitus, which can sometimes be tricky to understand; this isn’t a disease, but rather the name of the symptom. It tells you that your ear system is damaged in some way. While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are things you can do that’ll help to make the ringing more manageable. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most effective ways to reduce the effects of ringing in your ears. With these tips, you’ll find the condition to be much more manageable.

Medication options

While there’s no cure for tinnitus, it is possible to manage the condition through medication options. There are drugs that are designed to reduce your reaction to the ringing, rather than to specifically reduce the ringing itself. The two most common forms of medication that are prescribed for people with tinnitus are anti-anxiety and antidepressants medications. These can help to improve a person’s quality of life because it makes the ringing less noticeable. Anti-anxiety medication is especially useful when it comes to sleeping, which is a time of the day when people with tinnitus are especially conscious of the ringing.

Noise machines

Tinnitus manifests as an internal sound, one that can’t be switched off. However, there is another way to manage the internal ringing: increase the volume of the external world. There’s one especially useful device that has been shown to reduce the effects of tinnitus. They’re called noise machines, and they’re, well, exactly that – machines that generate noise. The idea is that the brain will focus on the noise produced by the machine, rather than the internal ringing. There are many different types of noise machine or noise-masking machine that you can choose from. Some are devices that sit in the room around you. Some sit in the ear. The noise they produce can vary; it’s usually white music or pink music, or nature sounds.

Hearing aids

There are many ways that you can get tinnitus. One of the most common ways is as a result of hearing loss. When you experience hearing loss, the changes can impact the way that your brain processes noise, which can sometimes result in ringing. In this instance, it is wise to focus on managing the hearing loss. One of the most effective ways to do this is by getting a hearing aid fitted by an audiologist. Studies have shown that people with a hearing aid feel the impact of tinnitus less than those that don’t. There are many different types of hearing aid available, which means there’s one that’s suitable for everyone. The most common times of hearing aids are ITC (in the canal), BTE (behind the ear), and ITE (in the ear), all of which have their plus points.

Remove earwax

There’s evidence to suggest that the presence of earwax in the ear canal can make the effects of tinnitus worse. In particular, people tend to find that their symptoms are worse if they have impacted earwax in one or both of their ear canals. As such, removing this earwax can decrease the symptoms of tinnitus. There are many ways to get rid of impacted earwax, though in severe cases it might require professional help.

Limit the alcohol

Alcohol dilates the blood vessels, which consequently increases the flow of blood throughout your body, including your ears. The rush of blood can make the ringing in the ears worse. For this reason, it’s recommended to reduce the overconsumption of alcohol.

Behavioral therapy

A person with tinnitus may notice that their symptoms are worse when they’re stressed. This is why behavioral therapy is sometimes recommended to reduce it. This is a multi-pronged approach, which helps to reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. It also pushes the person with tinnitus towards accepting the symptom. If you are experiencing tinnitus or any other ear-related conditions, then be sure to get in touch with us here at Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services. You can call us on 623-583-1737 or use the form on the ‘contact us’ page of our website. We can help with a wide range of hearing conditions, including tinnitus and hearing loss. Get in touch and speak with one of our friendly and experienced members of staff, and you’ll be in secure hands when it comes to your hearing.