Tinnitus occurs when you hear a ringing, buzzing, clicking or roaring noise that is not present in the environment. This perceived sound is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a disease itself. While there is no cure for tinnitus, that does not mean you’re out of luck. There are a number of treatment options available that can help you find relief.
Below is a rundown of the most popular treatments for the more than 50 million Americans currently experiencing some form of tinnitus.
Hearing Aids
When you develop hearing loss, your brain can change the way it processes sounds. This can also lead to tinnitus. In fact, about 90% of tinnitus cases occur with underlying hearing loss.
In addition to hearing aids often being readily available to tinnitus suffers, as it is the most common treatment for hearing loss, they are an effective treatment for tinnitus. According a 2007 survey of health care providers, about 60% of patients with tinnitus experienced relief from the use of hearing aids.
Sound Masking Devices
Sound masking devices play white noise, natural noises, music or ambient sounds that can help those with tinnitus block out the unwanted noises. These devices come in a variety of styles such as tabletop models or small devices that sit inside the ear. They are adjustable so the volume of the sounds they play can be set to be slightly louder than the user’s tinnitus in order to help drown it out.
Listening to music, such as a recording of a show performed at Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, playing a television program or turning on a fan can also help mask the sound of tinnitus if you do not want to purchase a new device.
Sound Machines
Customized sound machines are also available. These devices produce sounds that are tailored to a user’s specific tinnitus. Unlike sound masking devices that are used all the time, sound machines are only worn intermittently.
A 2017 study found that customized sound machines can decrease the perceived loudness of tinnitus, which shows that this option has the potential to provide long-lasting improvements.
To learn which tinnitus treatment may be right for you or to schedule an appointment with a tinnitus professional, contact Tinnitus & Hearing Experts today.