3 Common Tinnitus Treatments

Tinnitus is described as a ringing in the ears, but it can also be described as a buzzing, whooshing, hissing or whistling noise. Tinnitus can happen for a number of reasons, but if you’re experiencing permanent tinnitus or regular bouts of it, you have likely damaged your ears. It can also happen as a result of an ear infection, pregnancy, certain medications, anemia and other conditions. This is why it’s essential you see a professional, such as an audiologist before you begin researching what you can do to rid your ears of this annoying sound.

Once you’ve discovered the underlying issue causing your tinnitus, you can get to work researching the right treatment for you. Here are three common tinnitus treatments:

Lifestyle changes

One of the simplest and most affordable treatments for tinnitus is making changes to your lifestyle. Although you may not be able to reverse damage already done to your hearing with lifestyle changes, you will certainly be able to stop any further damage while finding relief from your symptoms. If you spend a lot of time in noisy environments, look at reducing that time and incorporating ear protection when you do spend time in noisy environments.

Cochlear implants

As many people with tinnitus have damage in the sensitive inner ear, cochlear implants can be beneficial in some cases. These implants can work to reduce or eliminate the tinnitus. However, it’s important that patients manage expectations. Results won’t be noticeable right away, and it may take three to six months before best results are achieved.  

White noise/sound therapy

White noise or sound therapy can be used to provide a distraction to the brain so it doesn’t focus on the tinnitus as much. The aim is to bring physiological changes in sensitivity in the hearing parts of the brain. Some think that it works as a distraction, or an aid in relaxation. The majority of people who suffer from tinnitus use this treatment in some form. Rather than being a solution alone, it is often used in conjunction with other treatments to produce more effective results.

An audiologist can confirm the tinnitus treatment that is best for you. Treatment will depend on the cause of the tinnitus, your lifestyle and a number of other factors that need to be taken into consideration. It’s always a good idea to use a few treatments in conjunction with one another (when given the go-ahead by a professional) to get the best results.