Don’t Let Tinnitus Control You! Find Out What You Can Do to Get Relief
Tinnitus is defined as an abnormal perception of noise in the ears without any external sound stimulus. It is characterized by ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing, humming, whistling, clacking, and whistling sounds. These noises may occur at different pitches and volumes and last for varying lengths of time. Sometimes they are continuous; sometimes they seem to be intermittent (like raindrops falling). In some cases, tinnitus occurs only intermittently. There are many causes of tinnitus including ear infections, hearing loss, and certain types of nerve damage. Other factors that contribute to tinnitus include exposure to loud noises, medications, head injuries, and sleep disorders.
Tinnitus affects over 25 million people in the United States alone. In fact, tinnitus is the most prevalent chronic condition reported among adults aged 18-64 years old. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 50 percent of those affected have moderate to severe symptoms. If left untreated, tinnitus could lead to hearing loss. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat tinnitus naturally. Here’s how these methods might help you cope with the condition.
The cause of tinnitus varies depending on what type of this condition you have. There are many different types of this condition including ringing in the ears (tinnitus aurium), buzzing in the ear (tinnitus ossicular), and pulsating sound (tinnitus pulsatile).
How Does Tinnitus Affect Your Life?
Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide and is defined as ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears without any external cause. People who suffer from this condition often complain about difficulty sleeping at night and decreased concentration while working. Many patients have reported that they hear noises only after taking certain medications or eating specific foods. There are many theories about what causes tinnitus, including exposure to noise trauma, blood vessel damage, inflammation, and nerve injury. However, no single theory explains how tinnitus occurs. In fact, research shows that this condition could be due to the interaction between various factors.
Treatment
The first step towards treating tinnitus is understanding its symptoms. Patients may describe their symptoms as follows; “I’m hearing a loud sound in my head”, “My ear feels hot and uncomfortable”, “I feel dizzy and weak”, and “My head hurts”. These symptoms indicate that their nervous system is affected and that their central nervous system (CNS) is malfunctioning. Because different parts of the brain control different body systems, this condition is sometimes referred to as ‘brain noise’. One of the major differences between tinnitus and normal background noise is that tinnitus does not go away even if you stop listening to it.
If you experience these symptoms, consult your physician immediately. You should never ignore this condition since it can worsen over time and affect your quality of life. A person with this condition experiences a loss of balance and coordination. The condition makes it difficult to concentrate and do simple tasks. Studies show that most sufferers become anxious and depressed over time.
Treatment options depend on the severity of this condition and your medical history. If you are experiencing mild symptoms, you might try lifestyle changes. Examples include lowering caffeine intake, avoiding alcohol, and exercising regularly. If you notice improvement, you might want to consider using relaxation techniques. Other treatment approaches include counseling, medication, and surgery.
If you experience severe this condition, you might need to undergo treatments that involve hearing aids, maskers, or other devices. Unfortunately, some drugs and surgeries can make tinnitus worse. As long as you know the side effects before undergoing any procedures, you can decide whether to proceed with the procedure.
Which Treatments Work Best?
Many people who suffer from tinnitus find relief after undergoing surgical procedures. Hearing aids are helpful for those who experience mild-to-moderate levels of tinnitus. If you’re experiencing severe tinnitus, you might want to consider a procedure called cochlear implantation.
How Does Tinnitus Affect People?
People who have tinnitus often describe their symptoms as annoying and distracting. Many people find themselves feeling anxious about having tinnitus. Others feel frustrated and embarrassed by the constant noise in their ears. Still, others experience pain or discomfort due to the noise. Most people with tinnitus report being unable to ignore the noise, even if they try.
End Your Suffering With Tinnitus Treatment Today
There are several treatments for this condition. One treatment option involves using masking devices. A masker device helps drown out this condition by playing white noise over headphones. Another approach to treating this condition is to take prescribed medication. Medications commonly prescribed for this condition include antidepressants, antihistamines, and anticonvulsants. If these methods do not work, then surgery may be considered. Surgery is generally recommended for those suffering from severe or chronic tinnitus. However, surgical interventions are invasive procedures and need appropriate medical supervision.
- Essential oils: Essential oils are effective at treating tinnitus. Lavender oil is known to reduce symptoms of tinnitus, while peppermint oil is thought to help relieve tension and stress. You can use these oils topically or inhale them directly.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points along the body. According to acupuncture theory, these points correspond to certain organs and systems of the body. By stimulating these points, they improve blood circulation and balance the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) throughout the body.
- Massage therapy: You can do massage therapy to promote relaxation and ease muscle pain. A massage therapist might apply pressure to trigger points in the neck, back, shoulders, arms, legs, feet, and hands to relax tense muscles and stimulate blood circulation. In addition, massage therapists might rub away knots and cramps using techniques like effleurage (long, smooth strokes), petrissage (kneading), vibration, friction, tapping, and kneading.
- Meditation: Meditation is a way to focus your mind and clear your thoughts. Many studies show that meditation reduces stress levels and helps people cope with difficult situations. It also promotes positive thinking and increases self-awareness.
- Yoga: Yoga is a physical activity that combines stretching, breathing exercises, and deep relaxation. It increases flexibility and range of motion, lower stress levels, and enhances concentration.
- Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of heightened suggestibility. People who undergo hypnotherapy enter a trancelike state, making them open to suggestions given by their hypnotist. Hypnotists use various methods to induce this state, including guided imagery, autosuggestion, and verbal suggestion.
Why Should You Seek Medical Attention?
If you notice changes in your hearing or if you experience persistent tinnitus, it’s important that you seek medical attention immediately. Untreated tinnitus could lead to long-term complications.
Do I Have Tinnitus?
You might have it if you hear unusual sounds in your ears, especially after exposure to loud noises. Your doctor can conduct a simple test to determine whether or not you have this condition. When conducting this test, he/she will ask you questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing and how frequently you’ve experienced them. He/she will examine your ears and listen to your inner ear with special equipment. Finally, your doctor will perform a physical examination of your neck, face, scalp, and jaw.
How Will My Doctor Treat Me?
Your doctor will first rule out any underlying medical conditions that could cause this condition. Next, he/she will discuss various options for managing your condition. Depending upon your situation, your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications, counseling, prescription drugs, hearing aids, or surgery.
How Long Will Recovery Take?
The length of recovery varies depending on the type of tinnitus you have and the treatment method chosen. You’ll need to make sure that you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
