If you’ve ever experienced a ringing in your ears, otherwise known as tinnitus, you are not alone. It is estimated that 10% of the U.S. adult population has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes within the last year.
Can Tinnitus Be Prevented?
In many cases, tinnitus is the result of something that you can’t prevent. However, there are steps you can take that may reduce your risk of developing the condition.
- Wear hearing protection. Exposure to loud noise can damage your ears and cause tinnitus or make it worse. Whether you work in a loud environment or enjoy hobbies like riding motorcycles or hunting, wear earplugs, earmuffs or custom earmolds to keep your ears safe.
- Keep the volume at a reasonable level. When watching TV or listening to music on your headphones, ensure the volume isn’t loud enough to damage your ears.
- Keep your heart healthy. Heart disease may increase your risk of tinnitus. Make sure to get regular exercise, eat healthily, and have regular checkups with your doctor.
What To Do and Not Do if You Have Tinnitus
If you do develop tinnitus, there are several things to do and a few not to do to help you better manage your symptoms.
- Do visit a hearing specialist or medical provider. Tinnitus is a symptom of another condition, like hearing loss or Meniere’s disease. Determining the cause can help figure out what treatment works best for you. Even if a cause isn’t discovered, treatments like acoustic therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy, hearing aids, and counseling can help reduce your symptoms.
- Do try to minimize your stress levels. Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate tinnitus. Practicing good self-care by doing things like meditating, getting enough exercise and sleep, and speaking with a counselor can help you keep your stress levels down and reduce your symptoms.
- Don’t ignore your triggers. In addition to high stress levels, there are other factors that can aggravate your tinnitus including a lack of sleep, too much caffeine and alcohol, and allergies. Managing these factors can help reduce your symptoms.
- Don’t put off getting help. Some people only experience mild tinnitus that comes and goes or resolves within a few days. However, if your tinnitus is chronic and getting in the way of work, affecting your sleep or making it hard chatting with your friends at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, reach out to a specialist for help.
For more information or to find the right treatment for your tinnitus, call Victory Hearing & Balance today.