You may be wondering if there is a cure for tinnitus. Sadly, there isn’t. As a condition that affects around 50 million in the United States alone, relief is sorely needed. The good news is, there are a variety of ways to tackle tinnitus that have been successful in providing relief.
Tinnitus is the medical term for ringing in the ears, sounds that occur in the person’s head, that can only be heard by them. The sounds can be soft or very loud and disturbing, it’s different for everyone. Tinnitus isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom of several other health conditions, which is why it’s so important to get it diagnosed by a hearing care specialist, and audiologist, who will help determine what could be causing it.
Diagnosing Tinnitus
There isn’t a single test to take that will confirm whether or not you have tinnitus, but there are other ways to uncover what may be going on. If you have noticed a frequent ringing in your ears, or if you’ve recently noticed hearing loss, the best thing to do is to see an audiologist.
The audiologist will first go over your health history, including what medications you’re taking. Then, they will want to hear about the symptoms you’re having with any details you can share about the kind of sound you’re hearing. The doctor may also perform an audiogram, a test to see whether or not you’re experiencing any hearing loss.
The more details you can provide, the better the audiologist will be about to help you. When it comes to tinnitus, there are four main sounds people usually hear:
- Clicking, which usually means muscle contractions in and around your ear might be the cause.
- Pulsing, rushing, or humming are usually associated with blood vessel (vascular) causes, including high blood pressure. Another way to find out if it’s vascular is to see if you notice it when you exercise or change positions, like lying down or standing up.
- Low-pitched ringing is more typical for tinnitus caused by ear canal blockages, Meniere’s disease, or stiff inner ear bones.
- High-pitched ringing, the most commonly heard tinnitus sound, is usually due to exposure to loud sounds, hearing loss, or even some medications.
Popular Treatments for Tinnitus
Because tinnitus is the symptom of another condition, the way to treat it will vary depending on what’s causing it. Some of the most common treatments are:
Ear wax removal: If an impaction or ear wax buildup is the cause of tinnitus, then an ear wax removal performed by an audiologist will be the best treatment. Please bear in mind that ear wax removal should not be done at home. At-home remedies like ear-candling do not work and can be dangerous.
Treat blood vessel condition: For tinnitus caused by a blood vessel condition, it’s best to start addressing the condition itself, like taking medication or undergoing surgery.
Hearing aids for tinnitus: Hearing aids can help with hearing and can also be programmed to address tinnitus caused by hearing loss by adjusting frequencies and reducing the loudness of the tinnitus in your ears.
Change medication: If one of your medications is known to cause tinnitus, the best solution is to see if you notice a change by switching to a different medication.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT is a long-term therapy that uses one-on-one counseling and sound therapy to retrain the brain and how it perceives tinnitus. One study found that 70% of patients treated with TRT reported moderate to significant improvement in tinnitus severity.
Tinnitus and Alternative Medicine
Some people prefer to use the alternative medicine route. While none of these methods have been scientifically proven, many people have reported having success with acupuncture, ginkgo biloba, melatonin, zinc supplements, yoga, and meditation.
- Acupuncture: Thin needles are gently inserted into specific areas of your skin to help clear any blockages that are disrupting your Qi (energy flow).
- Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba is believed to enhance blood flow to the cochlea and brain, which may help reduce tinnitus.
- Melatonin: Melatonin is thought to have antioxidative properties that aid in sleep and help reduce tinnitus.
- Zinc supplements: Some people believe that low zinc levels can cause tinnitus and that taking zinc supplements may help address the discomfort.
- Yoga & Meditation: Using mindful practices like yoga and meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which may reduce the impact of tinnitus.
Another way to deal with tinnitus is to use a noise machine. White noise, natural soundscapes, or ambient sounds can help distract your brain from the bothersome noise tinnitus makes. Simply avoiding complete silence is another simple step to take that may make all the difference.
Does Tinnitus Ever Go Away?
The answer to this question is one of the many reasons tinnitus is so troublesome. Whether tinnitus will go away or not is largely dependent on its cause. For those experiencing tinnitus because of exposure to loud sounds, tinnitus can go away after a few hours or days, sometimes it can last for a few months.
Most new cases of tinnitus go away within 6–12 months, but it can also last longer. If it sticks around, you might notice it less over time, even if it doesn’t completely go away. Unfortunately, there are cases of permanent tinnitus, but that is usually manageable with the right kind of treatment.
Coping and support: Is There Any Hope for Tinnitus Sufferers?
Tinnitus can be persistent and have a real negative impact on your quality of life. For those suffering from tinnitus, especially long-term tinnitus, we encourage them to look for counseling, join a support group, and keep educating themselves on the condition. Sharing experiences with others who can relate can be an especially powerful experience. Be sure to do your research when looking for a group. We encourage you to find a group that has a physician, audiologist, or qualified health professional as a facilitator.
Depending on how severe the tinnitus is, it may even be helpful to start behavioral therapy focused on your emotions. Studies have shown that focusing on mental health can help reduce tinnitus-related issues like stress, depression, and anxiety.
How Can You Manage Tinnitus?
While tinnitus can be long-term and a nuisance, there is a lot you can do on your own to manage the condition. For starters, keep on researching! The more you know, the better your chances of finding a strategy that works best for you. Besides, if a cure is found for tinnitus, you’ll want to be the first to know, right?
There are other steps you can take to help manage your tinnitus, like reducing your exposure to loud sounds. If you’re already experiencing tinnitus, it’s best to stay away from loud sounds, or to protect your hearing, like wearing earplugs at a concert. On the other end of the spectrum, you also want to avoid total silence. Total silence can make the tinnitus feel even louder leading to greater discomfort. Whenever possible, have some light background sounds or use a noise machine.
If you have vascular tinnitus, your diet may play into how you manage the condition, so stay away from things that restrict blood vessels, like salt. You’ll also want to monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause the blood to move through your body with more force, which could lead to tinnitus. Decreasing the amounts of stimulants you ingest, like caffeine and nicotine, will also help ensure your blood pressure is at manageable levels.
And finally, exercising can help improve your circulation which has a direct impact on helping the auditory system work at its best. It can also help reduce stress, like yoga, meditation, and long walks.
Conclusion
While there may not be a cure for tinnitus, that doesn’t mean there isn’t relief for those suffering from the condition. Whether you need hearing aids, to change your diet, a sound machine, or acupuncture, there is help out there.
The important thing is to speak to an audiologist when you notice something has changed with your hearing, or if you’re hearing a ringing in your ears.
With help from an audiologist, you’ll get details about what is happening and guidance into the best course of action. If you notice your hearing has changed, ask an audiologist today!
You can also use our Find An Audiologist tool to connect with a hearing expert near you.
