Living With Tinnitus

Tinnitus, often described as a ringing, or noise in the ears, is an unnerving problem for those affected. People with tinnitus hear irritating noises, and often those affected combat the internal noise with external noise such as leaving a television on, or listening to music all day. For those that suffer, there is hope. With treatment, the internal noises can become somewhat muted, or go away altogether. Treatment for tinnitus is a trial and error test, and what may work for one, may not work for another. But for those living with tinnitus, it is worth trying different treatments to finally get relief.

What is Tinnitus?

• Tinnitus is a sound, a whistling, buzzing, ringing, or even a static noise, as if a radio is off-station and playing in your ear. It comes from within the body rather than an outside source, and is a common complaint that drives many people to a specialist for treatment. The condition is most often seen in the elderly, but can be found in anyone at any age. It can stem from problems with the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Causes of Tinnitus

• Tinnitus can be caused by an infection, fluid in the ear, or injury to the ear or eardrum. This can be a puncture injury, or nerve damage caused by loud, sudden noises. Exposure to long-term to loud noises can also damage the nerves, and ultimately cause tinnitus. Some people develop tinnitus due to an illness such as sinusitis or congestion, which causes temporary problems. Some conditions cause permanent tinnitus. Although more than one family member may suffer from tinnitus, it does not appear that it runs in the family. It is an individual problem with individual causes.

Living With Tinnitus

• Living with tinnitus can be a challenge, especially if it affects both ears. Many people complain of not being able to fall asleep at night because the noises they hear are so loud. The noises inside the ears can become part of the background of daily activity, but when the world is quiet, the noise becomes louder and more disruptive. People living with tinnitus find that tuning out the noises they hear can become a challenge, but many learn techniques to do it.

Treatments for Tinnitus

• There are some are over the counter relief treatments such as T-Gone, Lipoflavonoids, and Arches Tinnitus Formula. These treatments are in the form of a pill. If the tinnitus is caused by a particular medical problem, such as an infection, treating the problem may help. People with tinnitus caused by nerve damage may have to treat the side effects of the tinnitus, especially if it has been diagnosed as a permanent problem. This means that doctors may recommend relaxation techniques such as bio-feedback or yoga or prescribe Valuim or Ativan. Another helpful tip is listening to music through earphones to drown out the noise.

Tinnitus Preventions

• Preventing tinnitus is not always possible, although taking care of your ears and staying away from loud noises may help. You cannot always avoid ear infections or fluid in the ear, but getting regular check-ups, keeping your ears dry inside, and seeing a doctor at the first sign of trouble or infection are all good ways of preventing tinnitus. Another way to prevent damage to your ears is by wearing good, protective devices or earplugs when around loud noises, especially at a loud job site.