How Do I Improve Tinnitus?
Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition known to cause ringing, buzzing, and other noises in the ear. During the day, these sounds aren’t as noticeable. But when nighttime rolls around and you should be sleeping, these sounds seem to increase and keep you awake. Here are some tips on improving tinnitus and in turn, improving your sleep.
Avoid Rooms That Are Too Quiet
One of the reasons people don’t notice tinnitus as much throughout the day is because there are other noises to help reduce the ringing. When a room is quiet, the buzzing is much more noticeable. One way to avoid a quiet room is to have an app or a device that creates sleep-friendly sounds.
Try Meditation or Other Relaxation Techniques
Meditation can help reduce stress. Studies have shown that meditation can be a beneficial tool to better manage tinnitus. It makes you focus on your breathing rather than the ringing in your ears. Other relaxation techniques – deep breathing exercises, aromatherapy, or whatever technique you use to relax – can reduce the anxiety tinnitus is known to cause.
Limit Your Use of Earplugs
Earplugs can reduce the ability to hear external sounds and make tinnitus worse. On top of that, frequent earplug use can lead to earwax buildup and impacted earwax. Both of these can make tinnitus worse.
Don’t Ignore Ear Pain
The combination of ear pain and tinnitus could worsen your symptoms if left untreated. Always speak to your doctor about the symptoms you’re having.
Seek Treatment for Hearing Problems
If you begin to experience hearing difficulties, then speak to your doctor. There could be another medical condition that is triggering this. If your doctor cannot find any reason for your tinnitus, you may be referred to either an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor) or an audiologist who can test your hearing.