Living with Tinnitus: How to Seek Relief

Tinnitus is a symptom that affects a lot of people, and those who experience hearing loss are more likely to discover they are experiencing it. Untreated tinnitus can have an effect on an individual’s quality of life, interrupting their sleep and making it difficult to focus. However, with the help of an audiologist, you can find relief. Here are a few of the ways you might be able to get some help.

Help with the Right Devices

One of the primary ways that an audiologist will aim to help those experiencing tinnitus is with technology that is specifically developed to help combat how prominent it feels. For one, there are hearing aids that come with tinnitus masking features. These devices can produce a programmable level of background noise that can help to cancel out the sound of the tinnitus.

Sound machines can also be used to provide relief for your tinnitus. Sound machines will play white noise to help block out external noise and help to provide better quality of sleep. If you are not sure which device to choose, talk with your audiologist. They will help you find the best solution for your specific needs.

In-Office Treatments with Your Audiologist

Aside from helping choose and fit devices that can help with tinnitus, your audiologist can also offer some treatments in the office that might reduce the effects of the symptom. Earwax removal can sometimes be helpful, as an earwax blockage can sometimes cause or exacerbate tinnitus. Tinnitus retraining therapy is a method that combines both counseling and sound therapy that can help you get used to the sound of their tinnitus so that it doesn’t impact your quality of life.

This can include teaching you how your auditory system works and talking about the impacts of tinnitus on emotional health and how they can be reduced. Otherwise, sound therapy often uses devices worn behind the ear that play sounds at frequencies to help decrease the contrast between tinnitus and other sources of noise, which can help retrain your brain.

Making the Right Lifestyle Changes

Tinnitus can be influenced by various risk factors, and making specific changes can have a significant impact. For example, certain medications may affect tinnitus, and consulting your audiologist to explore alternatives in collaboration with your general practitioner can be beneficial. You can talk to them about possibly switching your medications or lowering your dosage, to lessen the side effects. In cases like pulsatile tinnitus, characterized by a sound resembling one’s heartbeat, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can be helpful. Your audiologist will conduct a thorough assessment, discussing your lifestyle and medical history to identify potential risk factors and suggest strategies for mitigating the impact of your tinnitus.

Tinnitus can affect everyone differently. If you want to find relief for your tinnitus contact your audiologist. An audiologist can recommend specific treatments for your needs, after conducting a thorough assessment. Schedule an appointment with your local audiologist.