If you suffer from tinnitus, that annoying sound inside your ears that only you can hear, then you are not alone. At any one time, around 15% of the population will experience what you are going through. And while that may be a comforting thought on some level, it doesn’t make your tinnitus any less annoying. So, here are five ways you may be able to reduce your symptoms.
1. Stop Smoking
There are lots of good reasons to quit smoking but one big one is that smoking may be making your tinnitus worse. Smoking causes problems with blood flow which means your blood may not be getting to where it’s needed most such as the nerve cells in your ears. Also, as it’s a stimulant, it could be exacerbating the effects of tinnitus as well.
2. Cut Down on Stimulants
As we’ve already mentioned, stimulants make tinnitus worse, so you should try to cut down on any stimulants you take in. Try to drink less of anything that contains caffeine such as coffee, tea, cola drinks, and alcohol. Salt is another type of stimulant so avoiding that may help, and if you’re taking any medication that contains stimulants such as aspirin, you might want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about stopping, or finding an alternative treatment.
3. Find Some Support
Finding people who are going through what you’re going through will definitely help. Look online to see if there is a local support group for tinnitus sufferers. Also, exercise and meditation have been shown to counteract the effects of tinnitus. So check out your local yoga classes. Not only will you benefit from the exercise and the calming effects but you may find some fellow tinnitus sufferers as well.
4. Consider Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are not just for people who can’t hear very well; they are also helpful for people who have hearing-related issues such as tinnitus. Sadly, as tinnitus comes in many forms, it’s not possible in this post to give precise advice on what sort of hearing aid might work best for you. However, with many years of experience in finding solutions for tinnitus sufferers, one of your best options may be to find your tinnitus relief at Miracle-Ear.
5. What You Shouldn’t Do
And finally, a couple of pieces of advice on what you shouldn’t do. Firstly, don’t sit in silence. External sounds are not the reason you are suffering right now, and if you sit somewhere quiet, all that will happen is that you’ll be able to hear your tinnitus even more loudly than usual. Play some music or put the TV on. Also, keep up with your hobbies or start a new one. Any distractions that stop you from focusing on your tinnitus can only be a good thing.
Summary
There is some evidence that changing your diet or your environment can help reduce the effects of your tinnitus, as will giving up smoking. Also, finding ways to distract yourself can help too. But if you have tried everything and you’re still being plagued by the noises in your ears, head over to Miracle-Ear to see how they can help.
