As a hearing healthcare provider, I regularly get asked about a cure for tinnitus. Trust me, if there was one, I would be using it! I have had tinnitus for more than seven years. It makes it hard to sleep, to concentrate, to read a book. Basically, anything that is normally done in quiet became a struggle for me. (To see how tinnitus is affecting you, take our free tinnitus test.)
Let’s talk about what tinnitus is, and what you can do to help manage it.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external noise or sound is present. It is often referred to as “ringing” in the ears. I have even heard some people call it “head noises.” While ringing sounds are very common, many people will describe the sound they hear as buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, and clicking. In some rare cases, tinnitus patients report hearing music. I hear about 2,000 crickets all going at once!
So, is there a tinnitus cure?
Tinnitus, by itself, is not a disease. It is a symptom of something else. There are many things that can trigger tinnitus. Tinnitus can be associated with exposure to loud sounds and acoustic trauma, hearing loss, or certain drugs and medicines. In addition, roughly 200 health disorders can be associated with tinnitus.
Because tinnitus can be triggered by so many things, no cure for tinnitus has been found. I know, there are a lot of websites that promote “cures” — drops, supplements, oils and lotions — but be cautious as most of these have not been scientifically proven. Many have not even been tested.
What can you do if you have tinnitus?
Luckily, hope is not lost — there are things you can do! There are tools and treatments that have been tested and established over time. You can manage your tinnitus!
During the day, I wear Starkey’s Halo 2 hearing aids with Multiflex Tinnitus Technology. This proven technology helps minimize how much those “crickets” affect me. At night, I use our Relax app, which helps me fall asleep. As someone with tinnitus, I recommend both.
There are other tools, treatments and devices available, as well. Depending upon how much and when your tinnitus impacts you, different tools might be better at different times.
Good advice is to consult with a hearing healthcare professional who can help customize a tinnitus relief program just for you. To find one near you, call 1-888-797-0743 or click here. There may not be a cure for tinnitus — but there are ways to enjoy life.
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