Treating Tinnitus: 5 Potential Remedies to Consider
Tinnitus is an unpleasant health issue that causes ringing, hissing, or buzzing in the ear. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to cure tinnitus, but there are some remedies that can make it easier to live with. If you have chronic tinnitus, it’s wise to work with a health care provider who can diagnose the problem and suggest other remedies that could work well.
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Hearing Aids
Sound-based therapies can help mask the unpleasant noises that come from tinnitus. You can use hearing aids for tinnitus to amplify exterior noises with the goal of covering internal noises. Hearing aids include a small microphone and speaker to increase the volume of exterior noises. Using hearings can retrain the brain to block internal noises and focus on external ones. The majority of people who use hearing aids to treat tinnitus found some relief.
Sound-Masking Devices
Sound-masking devices help block internal noises from tinnitus by playing pleasant noises like white or pink noise. These small devices can sit on tabletops and some models fit in the ear. People with tinnitus can play these devices at their preferred volume to mask the uncomfortable internal ringing. It’s also possible to mask tinnitus noises with a fan, the television, and music. White noise and pink noise are more effective than music and nature sounds, but it’s best to choose the sound you prefer.
Your health care provider can prescribe a medical-grade device that can make customized sounds that will mask your tinnitus. The provider will tell you when you should wear the device to mask the sound for long-term relief.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Tinnitus can be debilitating, especially as people struggle to live with the constant noise. Eventually, people with tinnitus can develop psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Cognitive behavioral therapy won’t cure tinnitus, but it will help people live with it. Routine sessions help people improve their quality of life as they learn to focus on something other than the sound ringing in their ears.
Treating Abnormalities and Obstructions
Most tinnitus cases are caused by hearing loss, but some cases come from abnormalities and irritations in and around the ear. Sometimes, tinnitus can come from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) or from an object in the ear – even excessive ear wax.
People with TMJ might find relief from tinnitus after working with their dentists. Some dental procedures can relieve TMJ, and many people find relief after wearing a bite guard to prevent excessive wear on the joint.
A health care provider can check your ear for excessive ear wax, and they can safely remove it. They can also look for and remove obstructions in the ear.
Exercise
Regular exercise has helped people improve their lives and manage symptoms of tinnitus. Exercise helps people find relief from insomnia, illnesses, anxiety, depression, and stress – which can all exacerbate tinnitus. People do not need to exercise to the point of exhaustion to find relief. In fact, people with tinnitus were able to relieve stress and reduce tinnitus symptoms with gentle yoga and stretching.
