Treatments of the Ears: Tinnitus (non-pulsatile)
Non-pulsatile tinnitus may have no cure, but there are several treatments for this vexing problem. In brief, distracting noise (such as “white noise"), use of hearing aids, getting good sleep, getting daily exercise, and avoiding known dietary triggers (caffeine, ibuprofen and similar medications, apple cider vinegar, among others), alcohol, avoiding topical causes (sunscreen), and even undertaking cognitive behavioral therapy may help. Of course, prevention of tinnitus or its progression is important, and this is accomplished by avoiding excessive noise exposure and avoiding medications that hurt the inner ear (such as certain malaria medications and intravenous antibiotics called aminoglycosides).
• “How Can I Lessen the Impact of Tinnitus” at ENTHealth.org.
• Tinnitus information and resources from the American Speech and Language Association
Treatments for Tinnitus
While there is not a quick and ready “cure” for most types of tinnitus, methods for minimizing the nuisance of tinnitus do exist. There is not a single “one size fits all” technique for helping tinnitus, but several options exist that may be of use to the individual. These include the following:
Direct your mental focus elsewhere.
Use some other noise in your vicinity to help mask the tinnitus. This could be a fan, music, or any other comforting sound. Several smartphone apps have been developed for this purpose.
Very important: Get exercise daily, especially with at least some intense exercise.
Very important: Get good sleep. Minimize or manage stress.
Avoid exposure to loud sounds and prolonged exposure to even moderately loud sounds. This is preventative.
Identify if any of your medications cause tinnitus, and discuss options with your prescribing physician.
Avoid some of the other products that can promote tinnitus, including
Stimulants such as caffeine and tobacco
Alcohol
Apple cider vinegar, certain sunscreens.
If hearing loss is present, use hearing aids to help with tinnitus as well as hearing
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Hearing aids and tinnitus
The most effective measure to minimize tinnitus in all-comers is the use of hearing aids. Since about 70% of people with tinnitus that is not due to one’s heartbeat also have hearing loss, the benefit is twofold. By amplifying the sound in one’s environment, the user hears more of the sound that is present and doing so helps minimize the perception of tinnitus. Some hearing aids also have a program within them to present mild brief static noise randomly throughout the day in order to train the brain to ignore tinnitus, which is a benefit extending to times in which the hearing aids are not in use, such as while sleeping.
Hearing aids come in many different sizes and with many different capacities. Like glasses, hearing aids are custom fit to each ear. Major advances in hearing aid technology have made them easily adjustable for the user’s current situation (dinner party, listening to music, etc.) and can connect with your cell phone or a directional microphone disguised as a pen, so you can point it to a speaker of interest in a meeting, for example.
• How to Find the Right Hearing Aid for You article on ENTHealth.org.