Tinnitus is, essentially, ringing in the ears. More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. 
It comes from within rather than being caused by an external source. That makes it particularly difficult to get rid of.
After all, you can’t simply flip a switch to turn off that annoying sensation that interferes with so many aspects of your daily life. It can be caused by an array of issues, including ear injuries, age-related hearing loss, high blood pressure, and certain medications.
Overcoming Tinnitus
As many people can attest, tinnitus can be difficult to live with. Fortunately, though, it’s not impossible to overcome. Consider the following five strategies for coping with this condition and possibly reducing its impact.
1) Seeking Professional Help
Seeking professional help can play a major role in overcoming tinnitus. Determining the cause of the condition and finding the right medical professional to address it is one of the keys to success.
For some people, an otolaryngologist can help. Others may fare better with an audiologist. For those whose tinnitus is caused by medications or underlying medical conditions, their primary care physician may be able to intervene.
Those are only a few of the effective options for treating tinnitus.
2) Sound Therapy
Sound therapy has also been found effective for treating tinnitus. This approach involves using external noises to draw attention away from the constant internal ringing.
White noise machines, sounds of nature, or even an electric fan can provide soothing sounds that help to mask tinnitus. Sound therapy basically makes tinnitus less noticeable and intrusive.
It provides some relief from the incessant ringing and allows people to focus more on external sounds.
3) Relaxation Techniques
Some people find relief from tinnitus through relaxation techniques. Stress and anxiety tend to exacerbate the condition, making it seem even louder and more intrusive than it actually is.
Deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation are a few solutions in this category. They help to reduce stress which, in turn, can dampen tinnitus.
4) Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Some healthy lifestyle changes can also ease the effects of tinnitus. Eating a balanced diet may reduce the ringing because it leads to improved overall health.
At the same time, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake can lessen tinnitus. Both caffeine and alcohol tend to contribute to the condition, so reducing or altogether eliminating them may have a positive impact.
Getting plenty of sleep can also make a major difference. It reduces stress, helps to manage blood pressure, and has many other benefits that may quieten the ringing by alleviating underlying issues that are causing it.
5) Hearing Aids
Hearing aids may be the key to overcoming tinnitus for some people. They can help in a few ways.
For one, they bring voices and other important sounds to the forefront. That may essentially drown out the ringing to an extent.
Secondly, they help people focus on sounds they need to hear as opposed to the ringing that hampers their hearing. Either way, they may make tinnitus less noticeable and problematic.
Finding the Right Strategies for Coping With Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a common problem. Though mild cases may be a minor annoyance, more serious cases can be downright debilitating.
It’s certainly possible to overcome the condition, though. Determining the cause of tinnitus is essential for finding the right strategies to help overcome it.
From there, one of these solutions or a combination of them may make the ringing less noticeable and allow the more important sounds to shine through.
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