Coping with Tinnitus

Are you having issues with tinnitus? Tinnitus is a condition that is irritating and can also lead to a variety of psychological problems. This includes both depression and anxiety; so, while tinnitus isn’t fatal and often not considered serious, it can have severe consequences. The main symptom of tinnitus is that you will hear noises that aren’t there. The noise you hear could be anything from a buzzing, whirring or even a piece of music, and it can differ from person to person. Tinnitus can be caused by a multitude of factors, with one of the main being damage to your hearing from exposure to loud noises. When you regularly listen to noises that exceed a certain volume, you can impact your hearing, and tinnitus can start to develop.

Be aware that tinnitus can develop gradually. It might start with an individual hearing it only on occasion before becoming a permanent presence in your life. When it is only an occasional issue, it can often be remedied with minor precautions. You can do this by ensuring that you are taking steps to protect your hearing. The longer it lasts, the more likely it is to be permanent, and there is no cure. There are however, treatment options and coping mechanisms that can be put in place. You can speak to your hearing instrument specialist about these. However, here is a rundown of some of the possibilities you should be aware of.

Lifestyle changes

You might be surprised to learn that lifestyle choices can impact your tinnitus and seem to aggravate it. Examples include smoking, drinking and even levels of exercises. By living a healthy life, you can both reduce stress and ensure that your tinnitus is not as loud and obtrusive.

Hearing aids

You might be wondering why hearing aids are essential for tinnitus. Well, you might not be aware that tinnitus often will occur with hearing loss. This means that if you are suffering from this condition, then there’s a good chance that you are also dealing with the reduced ability to hear. Similar to tinnitus, hearing loss cannot be reversed. However, hearing aids can greatly improve your quality of life. Using them will ensure that you can hear effectively and that you don’t have to worry about struggling to hear during a conversation or perhaps when you are in a public place. It can even ensure that you are still able to use the tech that you might rely on in your life.

That’s not the only benefit of hearing aids if you are suffering from tinnitus. Many modern and advanced hearing aids now include masking technology. The sound from tinnitus can be annoying, particularly in quiet environments such as your bedroom at night. It can seem louder, keeping you up and causing immense stress. Masking technology covers the sound with something more pleasant like ocean waves or white noise. As well as being more soothing noise like this will also typically be easier to ignore.

Sound machines

Sound machines are similar to the masking tech that you will find in modern hearing aids. However, these devices are separate from your ears and usually look like small boxes. They can be placed anywhere in your room and have a speaker system. You can use them to play a variety of sounds and noises. Some boxes even allow you to download different sounds to find the one that suits you. This is a great way of ensuring that you will be able to sleep at night or just relax through the day. You can even use a sound machine while you are at work to make sure that you can concentrate. Tinnitus can be incredibly distracting, so it is vital that you do find a way to continue to focus; otherwise, you might struggle in your professional life. Your hearing instrument specialist will be able to help you find the right sound machine for you on the market. There are a variety of options, so you are sure to be able to find a great choice.

Tinnitus retraining therapy

Finally, tinnitus retraining therapy provides a psychological option for coping with your condition. You may not be aware of this, but in life, you ignore a lot of different sounds and noises. That’s because these sounds are actually not important and you can recognize this. By recognizing that you don’t need to hear these sounds, they never reach conscious thought. So, while the sound is still technically there, it won’t be the significant presence in your life that it may be right now.

To learn more about Affordable Hearing or treatments for tinnitus please contact Irmo: 803-749-6017, Orangeburg and Santee: 803-531-6403. We are happy to provide the solutions you need and ensure you get the right support.