Research estimates that 10% of the U.S. adult population has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes within the last year.
Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ear, though some experience buzzing, clicking, roaring or other sounds as well.
Whether you are experiencing tinnitus or want to know ways to protect your ears, here are some of the dos and don’ts of managing this condition.
Three Tinnitus Dos
- Wear hearing protection. Exposure to loud noise can damage your ears and cause tinnitus. Whether you work in a loud environment or enjoy hobbies like riding motorcycles or going to concerts at Georgia Theatre, wear earplugs, earmuffs or custom earmolds to keep your ears safe.
- Visit a hearing specialist or medical provider. Tinnitus is a symptom of another condition, like hearing loss or Meniere’s disease. While it’s not always possible to determine the cause, if one can be identified, it can help determine what treatment options might be best to reduce or eliminate your symptoms.
- Minimize your stress levels. Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate tinnitus. Practicing good self-care by doing things like meditating, getting enough exercise and sleep, and speaking with a counselor can help you keep your stress levels down and reduce your symptoms.
Three Tinnitus Don’ts
- Don’t seek out online cures. There are no supplements or magic pills that can cure tinnitus. However, an audiologist can help you manage your symptoms through various methods like noise suppression therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy and/or hearing aids.
- Don’t ignore your triggers. In addition to high stress levels, there are other factors that can aggravate your tinnitus, including a lack of sleep, too much caffeine and alcohol, and allergies. Managing these factors can help reduce your symptoms.
- Don’t avoid getting help. If tinnitus is interfering with your daily life or preventing you from taking part in normal activities, it’s important to seek help and find ways to improve your quality of life. Additionally, while rare, tinnitus can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition like high blood pressure or circulation problems that require treatment. So don’t delay in seeking help.
For more information on how to manage tinnitus or if you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call the Georgia Hearing Center at ENT of Athens today.