People diagnosed with tinnitus may experience persistent noise in the ears that can cause great discomfort. The causes of tinnitus are many. You can learn to live and cope with tinnitus by using noise reduction techniques and making some lifestyle changes.
Instructions
1. Determine the cause of the tinnitus by seeing your doctor for a proper diagnosis. The list of causes is extensive and includes head injury, vascular problems, ear infections, tumors, loud noise, hearing loss and the side effects of medications (see Resources). The treatment for tinnitus depends on the cause. Note that since some medications can cause tinnitus, the doctor may also check for this and change your prescription accordingly.
2. Wear ear plugs or muffs to protect your ears from excessive loud noises if this is the cause of the tinnitus. This can reduce the risk of serious damage to your ears.
3. Change your diet and lifestyle to help reduce tinnitus. Including healthy foods, multi-vitamins, supplements and regular exercise to your daily regimen can bring some relief from tinnitus. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco use and reducing your salt intake can also help improve circulation to the blood vessels in your ears.
4. Reduce stress to cope with tinnitus. People focus more on their tinnitus when they are anxious or tense. Some stress reduction techniques are meditation, biofeedback and exercise.
5. Use masking devices (white noise generators) and tinnitus retraining therapy to minimize tinnitus. Masking devices can cover the tinnitus (noise in the ears) and make it less noticeable. Tinnitus retraining therapy uses psychological counseling methods to help tinnitus sufferers adapt to the condition.
6. Get hearing aids if there is hearing loss associated with the tinnitus. When a person wears these devices, the audible sounds can help mask the tinnitus. Cochlear implants can be beneficial for people with tinnitus who have little or no hearing (see Resources).
7. Try complementary or alternative therapy to help you cope with tinnitus. You can use the herb ginkgo biloba on a regular basis for relief of this condition. Hypnotherapy, relaxation and acupuncture may also be helpful.
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