Last updated on July 21, 2022
Do you have a sudden buzzing in your ears? Whether you’re in a quiet space or around loud noise, you hear a constant ringing or whistling sound. You may even hear a muted hiss or clicking sound. All these could be symptoms of a hearing loss related condition called tinnitus. There are several causes and symptoms of tinnitus. Tinnitus is mostly age-related hearing loss or caused by any excessive external sound. However, another common cause is cell damage to the hair cell in your inner ear. Tinnitus can also be a side effect of a particular medicine.
Before you learn how to manage the condition, it’s essential to know what kind of tinnitus you have. Is it subjective tinnitus, or objective tinnitus? An ear nose throat doctor can diagnose both, but will only hear objective tinnitus. Only in rare cases will you suffer from objective tinnitus. It can also be the symptom of an underlying condition. Like other communication disorders, a brain tumor and hormonal changes also cause tinnitus.
After you know the form of tinnitus, symptoms, and side effects, you can manage it better. Proper management techniques will ease symptoms and help improve your quality of life. Read on for helpful hints to manage your condition.
Get the best health insurance.
The first step is to make sure you have the right healthcare provider. Do you have the best health insurance to deal with your tinnitus? Treatments for tinnitus include cognitive behavioral therapy, prescription drug plans, or affordable hearing aids. Sometimes, earwax removal can ease tinnitus symptoms. A more severe form of tinnitus may require addressing underlying vascular issues. Regardless of how mild or severe the kind of tinnitus you have is, good health care is essential. You can also opt for affordable hearing aids for tinnitus.
For the best treatment options, you need the best coverage. Instead of choosing a health provider at random, consider all your choices first. There are several plans available, and you need to find one that meets your needs. Learn about Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans before making a decision. Several companies can help you work through the options. An insurance agent can help you find quotes for Medicare. They can also help you look for the right insurance company in your area.
Get enough exercise.
Not all treatments for tinnitus are medical. While you can use prescription medication and sound therapy — you need to stay active too. The severity of tinnitus increases because of stress, anxiety, and depression. And, dealing with any hearing loss or impairment can cause those issues as well. So, you have to focus on treating the side effects of the condition to avoid aggravating it.
Try to get enough activity and maintain a healthy diet. Oversleeping or sleeping too little can also adversely affect the condition. Also, focus on getting good quality sleep.
Try targeted treatments.
Whatever the severity of your condition, you should visit an audiologist. Since tinnitus has no cure, specific therapies can be more helpful than medicine. After a hearing test, the audiologist will help you find treatment options. The treatment of tinnitus at a hearing center can involve tinnitus retraining therapy. You can also get cognitive behavioral therapy and sound therapy.
If your tinnitus is too severe, you may need hearing aids. Hearing aids can provide relief from your tinnitus symptoms. It can also help amplify sound, which will suppress the loud noises you hear with the condition.
Eat a healthy diet.
There’s more to managing tinnitus than prescription drugs and alternative treatment options. An audiologist can help with sound therapy, but you also need lifestyle changes. One of these changes involves the quality of the food you consume. It’s essential to learn what food can trigger the issue so you can avoid it. Some everyday habits to kick include excessive consumption of caffeine and alcoholic drinks.
Find a good therapist.
You’ve been to your healthcare provider, found an audiologist, and adjusted your lifestyle. You’ve had behavioral therapy and avoid loud sounds and triggers of tinnitus. However, don’t forget about your mental health. Like with any other serious medical issue, hearing loss can have an emotional fallout. All the buzzing and whistling can drive you crazy. You need an adequate support system to help you deal with the annoyance of tinnitus.
Even if you don’t have permanent damage and haven’t lost any perception of sound yet, anxiety can be frustrating. Counseling sessions can help you deal with changes in your normal hearing function.
