Tinnitus is the constant ringing and buzzing in the ear. This sound is internal and occurs in absence of any external sound. Only the affected person can hear the sound and is not heard by anyone else outside.
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To date there is no medical drug treatment for tinnitus. The reason for the occurrence of tinnitus can be anything. It can be the side effect of the drug you are taking. Or it could be the effect of continuous exposure to loud noises or other health condition. A doctor helps in the identification of the underlying cause of tinnitus and helps in coming up with a treatment plan.
We have put together a survival kit for people suffering from tinnitus. Some home remedies, recommended treatments and more.
Survival kit for Tinnitus
A person affected with tinnitus will certainly get some relief with the following devices
Sound Maskers
Sound maskers are devices which produce sounds which masks the buzzing sound heard inside the ear. The maskers produce sound of a certain frequency which brings relief by masking the buzzing or humming sound in the user’s ear. The affected people can wear sound maskers during the day or can keep it by the bedside during the night to help one fall asleep. Tinnitus Maskers are used by people who suffer from Tinnitus but do not have a Hearing loss. A masker does not work as a Hearing aid.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids serve a dual purpose. These hearing devices help people with hearing loss and also work as Tinnitus Maskers. Buyers should confirm if the particular Hearing aid model has a built-in masking feature. In majority of the cases, people suffering from Tinnitus do have a small percentage of hearing loss. The new generation of Digital Hearing aids have multiple tones and pleasant tunes. Users can change and select the tune or sound which gives them maximum relief.
Do Medicines Help in Treating Tinnitus
Medicines are not really effective in the direct treatment of tinnitus. Tinnitus can be caused by a problem or anomaly elsewhere in the head and not necessary in the ear. A damaged nerve can also cause Tinnitus. Medicines taken to cure the underlying cause of the disorder can help cure or reduce tinnitus.
Home Remedies and Other Treatments for Tinnitus
Retraining Therapy
This treatment is related to counseling when one wears hearing aids or Tinnitus Maskers. The affected persons are trained or counseled to focus on the sound produced by the devices and ignore the ringing and the buzzing sound produced due to tinnitus.
Meditation
Meditation helps in getting rid of the restlessness and helps in concentration. With meditation one is able to override the irritation of the buzzing and ringing and focus on the positivity by relaxing the mind. Stress can make the tinnitus sound worse. The relaxation techniques including meditation can really help with stress relief and in improving the quality of life.
Yoga Therapy
Yoga is one of the other relaxation techniques which can help with self-relief. Yoga has specific exercises which are known to give relief from Tinnitus. Trikonasana or the triangle pose is one such Asana which helps reduce Tinnitus. Yoga also teaches mind control and brings about overall stress release. Increase in stress increases the loudness of ringing or humming sounds.
Reduce Exposure to Loud Sounds
The Tinnitus affected person must avoid listening to loud music or watching television for long hours at high volume. Constant exposure to traffic noise, factory and construction noise can also increase the intensity of Tinnitus. People suffering from Tinnitus should use Ear Protection Devices or earplugs. This habit change must be made in life to get rid of the unnecessary sounds which can increase the tinnitus level.
Reduce The Intake Of Alcohol And Caffeine
One must reduce the intake of alcohol and caffeine to reduce the continuous buzzing in the head. Physician's advice the Tinnitus affected person to cut on alcohol and caffeine. People have claimed that cutting alcohol and caffeine content has helped to reduce the buzzing sounds.
Clean The Wax Build Up Inside The Ear
Sometimes the wax build up inside the ear also acts as a trigger for tinnitus. Everyone and not only the affected persons are generally advised to get their ears cleaned regularly. The compacted or solidified earwax touches the eardrum and causes spells of Tinnitus and Vertigo.