Tinnitus is an illusion of sound; ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, or hissing sound that is heard without an external source. Tinnitus is generally caused by ear damage from noise, but can also be caused by ear infections, certain medications, high blood pressure, and old age. Sometimes, tinnitus subsides quickly without any action. Other times, the tinnitus will resolve once the underlying condition is treated. Other drugs that can be given orally include steroids, barbiturates, oploids, vitamins, and minerals. Although there are no exact figures on the number of cases of hearing loss in Indonesia, approximately 50 million people in the United States suffer from chronic tinnitus that can last for at least six months. There are several ways to relieve discomfort even in extreme cases of tinnitus.
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Part 1 of 2: Treating Tinnitus
Step 1. Check earwax
Tinnitus can sometimes be caused by a buildup of earwax. A simple ear cleaning can relieve most tinnitus symptoms. The doctor can examine it for you and clean the ear if necessary.
Currently, medical professionals no longer recommend the use of cotton buds to clean ear wax. Washing your ears with water can help, but if the discharge is excessive and causing tinnitus, consider seeing a doctor for professional medical treatment
Step 2. Rule out head trauma
Somatic tinnitus is ringing in the ear caused by head trauma. This type of tinnitus is usually loud, varies greatly in frequency throughout the day, and causes difficulty remembering and concentrating. Sometimes, somatic tinnitus can be treated with surgery to realign the jaw position.
Step 3. Check with your doctor to determine if you have a vascular condition
Tinnitus may be caused by a vascular condition if it sounds like a thumping sound along with a heartbeat. Doctors can give drugs to treat the condition. In some cases, tinnitus treatment requires surgery.
Pulsatile tinnitus (as described above) could be a sign that you have a serious medical condition such as high blood pressure, thickened arteries, vascular tumors, or swollen veins. See a doctor immediately if you hear a pounding sound in your ear
Step 4. Consider changing medications
Many medicines are known to cause tinnitus, including aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, medicines for high blood pressure and heart disease, antidepressants, and cancer drugs. Consult with your doctor to find out if the medicines you are taking are the cause of your condition, and if so, whether they can be replaced.
Step 5. Ask your doctor about hearing dysfunction
Tinnitus is usually caused by damage to the tiny hair cells in the ear. Damage to these hair cells can be caused by aging or a consequence of exposure to very loud noises. People who work using machines or who listen to music at a loud volume generally get tinnitus. Brief exposure to loud noises can also cause temporary to permanent hearing loss.
- Other causes of hearing dysfunction include the consumption of certain drugs, hardening of the bones in the middle ear, tumors in the auditory system, vascular disorders, neurological disorders, and genetics.
- The severity of the disease varies and 25% of patients report an improvement in symptoms over time. In general, long-term tinnitus is not completely cured but can be controlled.
Step 6. Discuss further treatment with the doctor
Tinnitus may be a temporary minor condition. Patients are not always required to visit a doctor. However, see a doctor if you have a sudden, strong attack, symptoms have been present for a week, or if the condition is starting to seriously affect your standard of living. Consider professional treatment if you begin to suffer from side effects such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, or memory problems.
- Be prepared to discuss with your doctor when the noises started, how they sound, any medical conditions you may have, and any medications you are currently taking.
- The diagnosis is made based on a medical history, physical examination, and hearing tests. The patient may also require a CT scan or MRI of the ear for other pathologies.
- Perform treatment related to underlying pathology, eg depression and insomnia. Tinnitus retraining therapy, masking, biofeedback, and stress reduction may also be part of the treatment plan.
Part 2 of 2: Living with Tinnitus
Step 1. Try alternative medicine
Gingko biloba, which can be purchased at many pharmacies, is sometimes thought to help treat tinnitus, although its efficacy is debated by scientists. Other frequently tried methods include B vitamins, zinc supplements, hypnosis, and acupuncture, although there is little reason to believe that these approaches can work as effectively as gingko biloba.
Step 2. Don't worry
Stress can make tinnitus worse. Although rare, stress is a threat to your health. Even if there is no way to treat your case, the tinnitus will go away with time. Focus on keeping your body in tip-top shape and understanding how to do it as much as possible.
As many as 15% of humans suffer from some degree of tinnitus. Tinnitus is a common disorder and is usually nothing to worry about
Step 3. Take medication to suppress the side effects of tinnitus
There are a number of medications that can treat some of the symptoms of tinnitus, even if the condition is incurable. Antidepressants are known to help relieve tinnitus symptoms. Xanax can help people with tinnitus fall asleep more easily. Lidocaine can also relieve tinnitus symptoms.
- Antidepressants should only be taken in extreme conditions because they can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and heart problems.
- In addition, Xanax must also be used with doses that are not excessive because it can cause dependence.
Step 4. Listen for white noise (a combination of different sounds of different frequencies)
Noise from outside generally muffles the ringing in the ear. A white noise machine that produces natural sounds can help with tinnitus. Some home furnishings can also be used if neither is available. Try turning on the radio, fan, or air conditioner.
Regularly repeating silent sounds can help you fall asleep more easily
Step 5. Use the masking tool
Doctors have designed a number of treatments for tinnitus based on the realization of healing produced by white noise. Some of these methods can strengthen your hearing. One of the new techniques uses adapted acoustic therapy. Ask your doctor to determine the type of treatment that is right for your body condition and the appropriate price range.
- Hearing aids have been known to treat tinnitus by amplifying sounds from outside the body. Cochlear implants help relieve symptoms in 92% of tinnitus cases.
- Ask your doctor about neuromonic, a new type of treatment that uses acoustic therapy and counseling to treat tinnitus. The neuromonic technique is still in the experimental stage but shows promising results.
Step 6. Ask about Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
If the tinnitus persists and cannot be treated with a closure device, TRT can help with the healing process. TRT does not seek to relieve tinnitus but uses long-term therapy and hearing care to make the patient comfortable with sound. Although masking techniques have been shown to be the most effective in treating tinnitus in the first six months, TNR is the most effective technique in treating cases lasting more than one year.
Step 7. Change your lifestyle
Relax, stress can make your tinnitus worse. Exercise and rest can improve the condition of the body. Avoid things that are known to trigger tinnitus. Reduce consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Loud noises in certain cases can make tinnitus worse.
Step 8. Seek counselling
Tinnitus can cause stress and depression. If you have difficulty dealing with tinnitus physically, at least be sure to deal with the condition mentally by seeking professional help. There are support groups for people with tinnitus. Look for groups led by qualified health professionals.
