Ringing Ears Driving You Nuts? Try These Solutions
If you have noises in your ears that keep you awake at night or irritate you during the day, you should let your doctor know. You may have tinnitus. Tinnitus is sometimes a symptom of some other medical condition. Once the other medical condition is under control, your tinnitus might go away. However, many times, tinnitus doesn't respond to medical treatment. Instead, you have to learn how to live with the condition. Here are some things you can try to limit the problems caused by tinnitus:
Sound Masking
Sound maskers cancel out the ringing sound in your ears with another sound. You may have to try different things to find a sound that works well and doesn't annoy you even more. For instance, you can try running a fan in your room at night while you sleep. If the noise of a fan irritates you, consider buying a sound machine that plays recordings of rain or the surf.
If you have a sleeping partner, it might be difficult to find a noise that relaxes you both, in that case, consider getting a sound pillow. This pillow has speakers inside it that deliver sound to your ears only. It's like wearing headphones or ear buds, but much more comfortable.
Hearing Aids
Fans and white noise machines work great when you're at home, but if your tinnitus is severe enough, you need treatment during the day while you're at work and going about your activities. You could listen to an mp3 player with ear buds when appropriate, but the best solution may be to invest in a tinnitus hearing aid.
These fit inside your ear just like a regular hearing aid. They continuously emit a white noise signal that cancels out the tinnitus sounds you would normally hear. This is an especially helpful device if you also suffer with hearing loss, since you can amplify external sounds as well.
Therapy
While it may sound strange, therapy might help your tinnitus. It's helpful when you develop a strong negative reaction to the sounds. When the ringing gets on your nerves, it causes you to focus on the sound, so it bothers you even more.
With tinnitus retraining therapy, you gradually become accustomed to the ringing sounds in your ears, so they don't bother you so much. The therapy is usually combined with sound masking devices like the ones described above.
Managing your condition may require a lot of trial and error. Since people react to sounds differently, one solution does not work for everyone. If you can't find a way to block out the noise with a fan or some other sound, then seeking help from a tinnitus treatment specialist is probably a good idea. To learn more, contact a company such as http://www.HearDenver.org with any questions or concerns you might have.