How to Lessen Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a high-pitched noise in the ears, often described as a high squeal or ringing sound. Tinnitus may come and go or be a constant presence. According to the Mayo Clinic, about one in every five people is affected by tinnitus. Tinnitus itself has no cure and isn't actually a disease in and of itself; instead, it signals an underlying condition. Treating that condition may help to reduce or eliminate your tinnitus symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  Consult with your physician. Treating the underlying condition that's causing your tinnitus--for example, blood vessel problems, or switching medications--may help reduce the tinnitus. Your doctor may also be able to reduce your tinnitus immediately by extracting excess earwax from your ears. Your doctor might also prescribe prescription medications intended to lessen your tinnitus symptoms.

• 2

  Cut back on behaviors and stimuli that might be worsening your tinnitus. These include smoking, tobacco use, and drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages. Using a lot of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories may also contribute to tinnitus.

• 3

  Get a lot of exercise, which will help boost your circulation, which may in turn help reduce your tinnitus. Make sure to keep your neck in a neutral position; avoid exercises, like biking, that hyperextend it. Exercising will also help reduce your risk of obesity, which may be a contributing factor to tinnitus.

• 4

  Limit your exposure to loud noises. Use earplugs or protective earmuffs if you can't avoid the loud noises. Try using a white-noise machine or a fan to block out the sound of tinnitus in quiet places.

• 5

  Reduce stress and fatigue by rearranging your schedule, resting as necessary, and practicing relaxation techniques like biofeedback, meditation and yoga. You might also try using supplements containing ginkgo biloba; there's no conclusive proof whether this helps with tinnitus yet, but it has shown some promise in preliminary studies.