How to Relieve Ringing in the Ears

Ringing in the ears, known medically as tinnitus, is a disrupting and at times a maddening condition, but also a common one. About 36 million people in the United States have a constant ringing in the ears, and about 1 in 2 Americans will experience it at some point in their lives, according to Timothy Hain, Northwestern University Medical School professor of neurology, otolaryngology and physical therapy. Relief from ringing in the ears could come from home treatment, a doctor's care or simply by learning to cope with the condition.

Things You'll Need

• Ear drops

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove impacted earwax from the ears using over-the-counter ear drops. If this does not work, and you still suspect earwax is the culprit in your hearing problems, consult your doctor for earwax removal.

• 2

  Get checked for internal conditions that could be causing the ringing. Blood vessel and heart diseases can be a cause of tinnitus.

• 3

  Check all the medications you are taking to see if tinnitus is one of the listed side effects. If any medication lists tinnitus, ask your doctor about reduced dosage or alternatives to see if that alleviates the problem.

• 4

  Experiment with white noise machines, hearing aids and noise-masking devices. White noise machines provide sounds such as ocean waves or a rainstorm that can help with sleep. Hearing aids can help overcome hearing problems caused by tinnitus, and masking devices can reduce the ringing sensation.

• 5

  Ask your doctor about medications that can relieve the severity of tinnitus. Some possible medications, according to the Mayo Clinic, include tricyclic antidepressants, alprazolam and acamprosate.

• 6

  Join a support group with other sufferers of tinnitus, if other methods do not work. Much of the disruptive effect is psychological, so learning how to tune out the ringing could ultimately be the best course of treatment.