Curing Tinnitus

Is There a Way of Curing Tinnitus?

Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut way of curing Tinnitus. There is however some good news. Tinnitus can be temporary and in more persistent cases, with the right treatment and mindset, it can be significantly reduced. Such improvements can give the person a dramatic improvement in quality of life.

 

Take Control of your Tinnitus

If you experience tinnitus or suspect that your hearing is damaged you should make an appointment with your GP. It is rare for tinnitus to be an indication of a serious disorder however it is sensible to see you GP if you think you have it.

Normally your GP will refer you to an audiologist or ENT department (Ear, Nose & Throat) at your local hospital. They will be able check if there are any treatable conditions that are the cause and will also carry out a hearing test to check if the tinnitus is linked to hearing loss. Whilst there isn’t a simple way of curing Tinnitus, there are many strategies that can help reduce its impact. A specialist tinnitus clinic or hearing therapist can provide information and support on these.

There are many other coping strategies which can include the following.

 

Talk to Someone

It can be really helpful to talk to someone who has experience of Tinnitus. Often people around you have no experience of Tinnitus so struggle to give you the support you need. There are various Tinnitus support groups around the country including Lincolnshire. At these groups you can meet and get tips from people who are going through the same things as you and can also give support to others. This can be as simple as sharing your story and experiences with them.

The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) www.tinnitus.org.uk is also a great source of information as well as offering a confidential tinnitus helpline.

At Bailgate Hearing we are also able to offer Tinnitus Management Consultations where we will help you to understand your Tinnitus and learn how best to manage it.

 

Learning to Relax

When first experiencing Tinnitus it is not uncommon to feel anxious or afraid. When you are more relaxed, you feel less stressed and often don’t notice your Tinnitus as much. It is one of the most helpful things you can do to help with your Tinnitus.

Finding somewhere peaceful and taking time to breathe, taking deep breaths whilst paying full attention to your breath entering and leaving your body, can make you feel much more relaxed. Having some music on in the background can also help to make you feel calmer. When you feel relaxed and calm you often don’t notice your Tinnitus as much!

 

Using a Hearing Aid

Hearing loss is a very gradual process. Often when people are told they may need help with their hearing they are surprised. Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss and a hearing aid can be very useful in helping to restore the sounds you can’t hear. In many cases this also helps the person in not noticing their Tinnitus as much.

 

Sound Therapy

For many people their Tinnitus is much more noticeable when they are in a quiet environment. Using background sound can help your brain become distracted from the Tinnitus sound. Listening to the radio or music in the background can help to teach your brain to become distracted from the Tinnitus and be more immersed in your daily life. Many people then find they don’t notice their condition as much.

 

Addressing Problems with Sleep

Falling asleep or staying asleep can be a problem for some people who live with Tinnitus. For us to sleep well it is important for our mind and body to be relaxed. It is unhelpful for us to worry about how much sleep we are getting, or not as the case may be. This only leads to us finding it more difficult to sleep. The vast majority of people with Tinnitus can sleep well if they ensure they are relaxed. Taking the time to address problems during waking hours is the key to not worrying about them at night when there is nothing else to occupy you.

Use relaxation techniques in the evening to prepare yourself for sleep. If you are relaxed mentally and physically you will find sleep comes much easier. For some people having some soft sound playing in the background can also help them to sleep better. The type of sound is your choice, just so long as it is neutral and relaxing.