Tinnitus (cont.)
Can tinnitus be prevented?
Do not place objects in your ear such as cotton swabs (Q-tips) to clean your ear. This can cause a wax impaction against your eardrum which can cause
tinnitus.
Take blood pressure medicines and other prescribed medications as they are ordered by your doctor.
According to the American Tinnitus Association there are several things you can do to protect yourself from excessive noise related tinnitus:
- Protect your hearing at work. Your work place should follow Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Wear ear plugs or earmuffs and follow hearing
conservation guidelines set by your employer.
- When around any noise that bothers your ears (a concert, sporting event, hunting) wear hearing protection or reduce noise levels.
- Even everyday noises, such as blow drying your hair or using a lawnmower, can require protection. Keep ear plugs or earmuffs handy for these activities.
Is there anything to do to lessen intensity of the tinnitus?
It is important to realize that the hearing system is one
of the most delicate and sensitive mechanisms in the body. Since it is a part of
the general nervous system, it is sensitive, to some degree, by anything that
affects the overall health of the individual (both physical and
psychological). Therefore, in order to lessen the intensity of
tinnitus,
it is advisable to make every effort to:
- Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.
- Control blood pressure.
- Decrease salt intake.
- Avoid nerve stimulants such as coffee and colas (caffeine)
and
tobacco (nicotine).
- Reduce anxiety.
- Try to stop worrying about the tinnitus. Often,
the more you worry and concentrate on the noise, the louder it will become.
- Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.
- Exercise.
- Utilize masking noise. Tinnitus is usually more
bothersome when the surroundings are quiet, especially when you are in bed. A competing sound such as a ticking clock, a radio, a fan or white noise machine may help mask tinnitus. Small hearing aid like devices which generate a competitive sound may help reduce the awareness of the tinnitus.
- Biofeedback may help
or diminish tinnitus in some patients.
- Avoid aspirin or aspirin products in large quantities.
Tinnitus At A Glance
- Tinnitus is abnormal ear noise.
- Tinnitus can arise in any of the four sections of the
ear: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the brain.
- Persisting unexplained tinnitus is evaluated with a
hearing test (audiogram).
- Measures can be taken to lessen the intensity of tinnitus.
Last Editorial Review: 11/30/2007
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