Tinnitus is described as a condition where a patient hears ringing and buzzing in their ears, despite no outside noise being present. Often, cases of tinnitus induce stress and depression in the individual suffering from the condition.

Is tinnitus having a negative effect on your life? We’ve laid out different coping techniques to help with your daily battle against tinnitus. If you have any further questions regarding tinnitus, don’t hesitate to contact the doctoral-level professionals at Associated Audiologists in Manhattan, KS, or the Kansas City metro area.

Understand the cause of your tinnitus

Understanding the root cause of your condition will help you with the coping process. Here are a few common causes of tinnitus:

• Age-related hearing loss. Hearing loss can often cause tinnitus, and for many adults who suffer from presbycusis — or age-related hearing loss — the risk of tinnitus increases.
• Exposure to loud noise. Noise-induced hearing loss often results in tinnitus. If you’re subjected to loud noise from heavy equipment, fireworks, or rock concerts — or even a portable music device that’s turned up too loud — you could be risking tinnitus.
• Earwax blockage. A buildup of earwax can irritate the eardrum or cause hearing loss, which can lead to tinnitus.

Work toward a stress-free lifestyle

It’s no surprise that constant ringing and buzzing in the ears can be stressful for the tinnitus patient. When stress is a product of tinnitus, it can actually worsen the symptoms.

Practicing relaxation techniques can help you cope with your condition and maintain a better quality of life. Regular exercise is a known combatant of stress because it lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, and the activity of the stress hormones.

Avoid exposure to environments with excessive noise, as they can further complicate your condition. Busy work environments, loud music, and concerts could aggravate tinnitus and may require wearing hearing protection or ensuring hearing technology is fit appropriately.

Modifying your diet may also be a part of the necessary lifestyle change when managing your tinnitus. Avoid stimulants such as coffee and cigarettes; these can raise blood pressure and heart rate, which could induce more stress and exacerbate your tinnitus.

Use a tinnitus masking device

Tinnitus maskers are devices based on white noise machines that add natural and artificial sounds to the sufferer’s environment. The device may be placed in the ear, or have a separate hand-held device on a nearby table. The masking machines produce louder ambient noise to reduce the sensitivity to tinnitus. Ambient noise provides a calmer sound than the usual high-pitched ringing that tinnitus patients endure.

An individualized tinnitus assessment and consultation may be warranted to better understand and quantify tinnitus, if hearing loss is involved or if medical consultation is warranted.  In addition, personalized recommendations for tinnitus management can be provided.

If you are experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, you’re not alone. Download our free e-book, There Is Something You Can Do About Tinnitus, to learn about your treatment options and how Associated Audiologists can help you.