Thursday, May 13, 2010

How can I cure tinnitus?

Unfortunately, tinnitus cannot be cured but it can be managed. Tinnitus is an auditory sensation that is not related to the perception of some external sound. It has been described as some type of noise in the ears or head, such as ringing, buzzing, humming, or sounds like crickets. 

The exact cause of tinnitus is hard to pinpoint exactly; however it has been associated with a problem anywhere in the hearing system and it is prevalent in about 50 million Americans (according to the American Tinnitus Association). Factors that are thought to be related to the onset of tinnitus include: change in hearing, loud noise exposure, traumatic head injury, dealing with a health crisis, taking aminoglycosides, caffeine intake, and tobacco use. 

First step of treatment for tinnitus typically involves lifestyle changes to help reduce the perception of tinnitus. General suggestions include:

- Protect ears from loud noise
- Avoid silence or sound enrichment - tinnitus perception is louder when there are no distracting sounds in the environment, therefore using a low-level background noise can help reduce focus on tinnitus. Example: sound generating devices. 
- Regular exercise to help with circulation
- Avoid caffeine and excessive salt
- Stress Management 

Further management options as directed by an audiologist typically involve reducing the perception of tinnitus through tinnitus maskers for example and reducing the reaction to tinnitus through counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or tinnitus retraining therapy. These various methods of reducing the reaction attempt to provide distractions from tinnitus and calm fears about tinnitus. Speak to an audiologist to determine which treatment option is most appropriate for you. 

Example of a sound generator alarm clock: 
Travel Tranquil Moments Alarm Clock Sound Therapy Machine by Brookstone

For more information about tinnitus, visit the American Tinnitus Association. If you are having difficulty with tinnitus, consult a physician and/or audiologist.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

To help prevent ringing of ears you must avoid to loud noises If you’re suffering from Tinnitus it is important for you to know that this condition will never leave if you don’t treat tinnitus. Many people decide to try and live with it instead of treating it. So, if you want a complete sleep than must get a tinnitus treatment. Now there are many therapies for tinnitus. People who deal with tinnitus get a emotional fallout in these therapy. Some people get tinnitus, lack

suraj said...

Tinnitus Remedies

1.An effective Home Remedy for tinnitus would be to put 20-40 mg of Maidenhair tree extract inside the ears.
2.For people who suffer from tinnitus because of loud noise, the best option would be to wear ear plugs.
3.When suffering from tinnitus, it is advisable to avoid saturated fats, processed foods, sugar and salts.
4.Coffee, tea, sweet foods and refined alcohol, all add to the tinnitus problem. It is advisable to avoid these foods and beverages.
5.Include lots of fruits and vegetables, garlic, kelp and sea vegetables in your diet. Have food rich in protein, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, zinc and choline.
6.Mix a tsp each of salt and glycerin in a pint of warm water. Use this liquid as a nasal spray, spraying it in each nostril until the solution drains to the throat.
7.Exercising regularly is a good way to tackle tinnitus problem.
8.Wearing earplugs is a good way to cure tinnitus at home. The earplugs can be of any variety, such as rubber, foam or moldable wax ones.
9.Have lots of fresh pineapple, as it reduces the inflammation in your ear, thereby curing tinnitus.
10.Chewing dry fruits helps enhance the blood circulation, thereby acting beneficially in solving tinnitus.
11.Taking hot and cold foot baths, alternatively, proves effective in treating tinnitus.