5 Tips for Living with Tinnitus

Living with tinnitus can be a daily battle. It is an extremely common condition that affects millions of people worldwide every year.  Tinnitus is a condition associated with hearing. It is typically characterized by a buzzing, humming, or hissing noise that is perceived in the ears but is actually stemming from the brain.

Unfortunately, many people still don’t know much about tinnitus, what causes it, and how it can be treated. Thus, thousands end up suffering from their tinnitus symptoms in silence, not realizing that there are certain things they can do to reduce their symptoms or help them cope with the sound.

It’s always important to consult with an audiologist if you are experiencing tinnitus. They will be able to evaluate your hearing and discuss treatment options. Treatments such as certain supplements and therapies can help to reduce tinnitus symptoms. In this article, we will explore what tinnitus is and the ways in which you can work to reduce the bothersome noise.

What is Tinnitus?

Before moving forward with our tips for dealing with tinnitus, it’s important to first take a closer look at exactly what this condition entails.

Tinnitus is associated with hearing and it can often come along with hearing loss. While hearing loss and tinnitus do not necessarily have to be related, oftentimes when people are dealing with tinnitus, they are also suffering from some kind of hearing loss. According to Mayo Clinic, tinnitus affects 15-20% of the population each year.

Tinnitus can be constant, or it can come and go. Additionally, it can manifest in many different ways. For example, some people may perceive their tinnitus as a high-pitched ringing sound. On the other hand, some people may perceive a buzzing noise or even a low-pitched hum. There are endless ways that tinnitus can manifest.

However, regardless of the way in which people are experiencing tinnitus, it is always at least somewhat disruptive. People with mild forms of tinnitus may simply find it distracting at times. However, people who are living with more severe tinnitus may find that it is extremely difficult to complete daily tasks and live their lives. For example, it may be difficult to hear and communicate with others if your tinnitus is loud enough. Furthermore, you may not be able to focus on what people are saying due to the fact that your tinnitus is so disruptive. Additionally, you may find it a challenge to concentrate on work or family when you have constant noise in the background.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Many people who find themselves living with tinnitus are confused as to how it came about. The onset can be rather gradual, and so often it’s hard to pinpoint precisely what caused it. However, tinnitus has been studied in-depth, and it has been found that there are several factors that commonly contribute to this condition. Some of the most common causes of tinnitus are:

• Aging
• Hearing Loss Complications
• Exposure to Loud Noise
• Certain Medications
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
• Muscle Spasms in the Inner Ear
• Meniere’s Disease
• Earwax Blockage
• Bone Growth in Ears
• Blood Vessel Disorders

Because there are so many different causes of tinnitus, some of which may be serious. It’s always important to consult with an audiologist if you are experiencing tinnitus symptoms. They can evaluate your hearing and help you to move forward with treatment.

5 Tips for Living with Tinnitus

While it’s very important to meet with an audiologist if you are experiencing tinnitus, there are some other things that you can do that may help you to deal with the persistent noise. Some of our top tips for living with tinnitus are:

Reduce Stress

One of the most common side effects people experience when living with tinnitus is stress. Because tinnitus can be distracting and disruptive, it can cause a high level of stress and anxiety for those experiencing it. They may worry that they will act abnormally in front of others simply because they can’t hear them well or because they are focused on their tinnitus instead of the interaction. Additionally, they may feel as though they can’t enjoy their leisure activities, which can cause irritation that leads to stress. Furthermore, if you have tinnitus, you may be concerned about your work performance because it’s hard to focus.

Regardless of the source of your stress, it is something that is almost always associated with severe tinnitus. Thus, if you are dealing with tinnitus, it’s important to try to lower your stress levels as much as possible in order to help you deal with the sound of your tinnitus. Not only will this help you feel better, but it’s also been shown that stress can actually make your tinnitus worse. Thus, lowering your stress level can actually lower your overall perception of tinnitus.

Exercise

Exercise is another excellent way to help fight tinnitus. Living a healthier lifestyle has been shown to reduce tinnitus symptoms in some people. Furthermore, exercise is associated with reducing stress levels, which, as previously mentioned, can help combat tinnitus.

Practice Yoga or Meditation

Centering yourself through the practice of yoga or meditation can also be highly effective in combatting tinnitus. Not only will these activities lower your stress and anxiety, but they can also help to calm your nervous system. Because tinnitus is a brain issue, it is something that can be worsened when your nervous system is on high alert. Thus, taking time to relax and center yourself can be hugely beneficial.

Protect Your Hearing

Additionally, remember that tinnitus is often caused by or worsened by exposure to loud noises. Thus, even though you might already be experiencing tinnitus, you can work to keep it from getting worse by protecting your hearing. Wear earplugs whenever you’re around loud noises and avoid them as much as possible.

Meet With an Audiologist

Finally, the best thing you can do to reduce your tinnitus symptoms is to visit an audiologist. While tinnitus is not curable, there are many treatment options available that can help you to live much more comfortably with the condition. Furthermore, some treatment options can reduce the sound of your tinnitus or even replace it with a soothing sound by retraining your perception. There have been many recent advancements in the treatment of tinnitus, so if you are living with it, don’t wait to speak with a professional.  They may even recommend hearing aids. A company like Blue Angels Hearing offers the best hearing aids we know of for an affordable price.

Bottom Line

Tinnitus is a highly disruptive condition that can be caused by many different factors. Aging, exposure to loud noises, and even some medications are just some of the ways that tinnitus can creep into your life. If you or someone you love is dealing with tinnitus, know that you don’t have to suffer in silence. Reach out to an audiologist to find out what kind of treatment options are available and work to protect your hearing and reduce your stress as much as possible.