If you suffer from ringing in your ears, more commonly known as tinnitus, you are among the 18 per cent of Australians who experience the condition.
While there is no trigger for tinnitus, and each sufferer’s symptoms are different, the condition can be a source of frustration, pain and even depression with severe cases having devastating effects on a person’s life.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus, but you can manage the condition. Research shows that extended wear hearing aids can significantly improve life with tinnitus – in ways traditional hearing aids cannot.
In the meantime, here are other some simple steps you can take to cope with your tinnitus.
1. Understand what tinnitus is
You might experience very soft sounds or very loud ones and the sounds can interfere with your normal hearing. You might hear ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking and even hissing sounds.
Once you understand your condition you can talk with family and friends, because having the support of others can make all the difference when you are feeling low because of your tinnitus.
2. Reduce your stress levels
Tinnitus causes stress, and stress makes tinnitus worse. It’s a dangerous cycle. Stress has been found to be a major aggravator of tinnitus and while it’s easy for someone to tell you to ‘relax’ actually doing it can be difficult. If you can avoid situations that can cause tension and anxiety, you can lessen the triggers of your tinnitus.
3. Make use of relaxation techniques
Many treatment options exist for tinnitus, including natural, at-home remedies, hearing ads, tinnitus retraining therapies, cognitive behaviour therapy, hypnosis and changing your diet however, these take time to work.
You might find greater success with one of several relaxation exercises, including meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, massage and guided imagery or progressive relaxation.
3. Kick caffeine to the kerb
According to our friends at We’re All Ears, stimulants such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, tobacco and alcohol can have a temporary negative impact on those suffering tinnitus. You might want to also avoid quinine, such as tonic water, too.
5. Protect your hearing
Use foam rubber earplugs in noisy stadiums or outdoor concerts, when mowing your law, and during any other noisy activity as this can prevent further damage to your hearing.
6. Talk with your health care professional about treatment
A doctor will examine your ears and may book you in for a hearing test in order to diagnose your condition. You might have excessive earwax, which can cause tinnitus or there may have been a change in the bones of your inner ear that can affect the sound vibrations.
Many medications might contribute to tinnitus, so it’s good to talk to your health care professional about those medications that can negatively impact your condition. Consider too that if your doctor has prescribed medication for your tinnitus it can take some time before it is effective.
7. Avoid complete quiet
Keeping your ears busy with some low-level background noise – like the television or radio – can help your brain focus on those sounds rather than the annoyance of your tinnitus.
8. Improve your overall health and wellbeing
After stress, poor diet is another major aggravator of tinnitus. If you eat too much salty food you will increase your tinnitus. Simple sugars are another food item to avoid. The best diet for people with tinnitus is tasty and healthy, consisting of primarily whole foods with very little packaged or fast food. If you have a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, cheese, fish and poultry it will be good for your tinnitus.
9. Don’t toss and turn
About half of those who experience distressing levels of tinnitus report some sleep disturbances. If, after retiring to bed, you are not asleep within half and hour, don’t toss and turn but get up and go to another room. Do something quiet and relaxing until you feel sleepy.
10. Don’t let it drown out the positive voices
As with most things, attitude matters. As frustrating as tinnitus is, it’s important you don’t let it cloud your thoughts with negativity. Having a positive outlook and envisioning overcoming the condition can really help.
Do you have any tips to manage tinnitus? Share them with us in the comments below!
This post is sponsored by Connect Hearing and written independently by the Starts at 60 team. For more information, please click here.