Tame Tinnitus With These Helpful Tactics

Rest and tinnitus don't go together well. It can be very difficult to get any sleep when your ears have constant ringing, hissing, clicking, roaring or whistling sounds. Your stress levels and tension increases when you don't get enough sleep or rest.

Tension and stress can actually make tinnitus worse. You should avoid stress and tension as much as possible since there is no question they work to exacerbate tinnitus.

There is no cure for tinnitus but there are many management strategies for the condition. Discover how you can take the necessary steps to cope with tinnitus, manage stress and get the rest you need.

If you have tinnitus there are two condition's you want to avoid and these are loud noises and silence.

Loud sounds are known to permanently increase tinnitus. You should always have some kind of background sound playing as this works to "mask" the sound of the tinnitus. Ringing in the ears becomes more noticeable in total silence.

There are hearing aids available that work to mask the sound of tinnitus. You can also try tapes with environmental noises, music or other soothing but distracting sounds. Masking doesn't always work for everyone who has tinnitus.

You can also try running the water at the kitchen sink. If the sound of the water makes it impossible or difficult to hear the tinnitus, then masking will likely work well for you.

The next treatments work similar to masking:

Hearing Aids:By treating any hearing loss you may have it can actually help to mask your tinnitus. When correcting hearing you hear all the creaks and other sounds of life you have been missing. All of these sounds block out the ringing in the ears.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: This is a great technique that combines low level steady background noises with one-on-one counseling until you become unaware of the tinnitus and don't have to wear a device in your ear any longer. Even though this therapy is quite effective it can take as long as two years before results are noticeable.

Attack Anxiety: If masking doesn't do the trick for you, you can try anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax. Seventy-six percent of people treated with Xanax in an Oregon Health Science University study found relief from tinnitus symptoms. Xanax will also help with any stress and anxiety you might have.

If sleeping at night is difficult you might want to speak with your doctor about one of these sleep medications.

Relaxation Therapy and Visualization: By using positive imagery and focused breathing, it's possible for you to learn to relax. This would mean decreased stress and the more likelihood of the tinnitus becoming less severe.

Biofeedback: This is a method that helps you to control and monitor your body's reaction to stress. It's used many times with relaxation therapy. Biofeedback works by using your nervous system as an ally in your fight to remain healthy.

Meditation or Yoga: These two excellent methods of relaxation and focusing help many people who suffer with tinnitus.

Exercise: When you are playing tennis, jogging or doing other physical activity, you are not focusing as much on the tinnitus symptoms.

Support Groups: Many people find being a part of a support group helps them to know they aren't alone with this condition as well as offers a place where they can learn from others and share their experience.

The American Tinnitus Association sponsors research for tinnitus. The more support the association receives, the more research it's able to sponsor and the closer they will get to finding a cure. You will be able to keep up-to-date on any breakthroughs by becoming a member.

By limiting your exposure to loud noises you can help guard against tinnitus. The only threat to your ears is not just noise however.

The following items can make tinnitus worse according to the American Tinnitus Association:

* Certain medications

* Caffeine

* Nicotine

* Alcohol

* Foods high in sugar

* Tonic water

* Stress

* Fatigue

Tell your doctor about any prescription and over-the-counter medications you take. Decrease or cut out nicotine all together since it affects your hearing by constricting blood vessels which carry oxygen to the ears. Limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption and any other foods that seem to increase the severity of your tinnitus. Most of all learn how to relax!

Vacuuming Can Harm Your Ears

Machine gun fire and explosions not only risk a soldiers life but can also put his hearing at risk. There are a number of things in your home which can damage your ears such as vacuums, garbage disposals, shop tools and leaf blowers. The sound can cause damage to the delicate hair cells or hearing nerves in the ears. This could lead to loss of hearing or tinnitus.

Everyday noises that could damage the ears and cause hearing loss, according to the American Association of Tinnitus are: blow dryers, subway, power lawn mower, chainsaw, motorcycle, fireworks and a shotgun blast. Hunting, target practice, go-carts, snowmobile riding and woodworking are also some activities that can endanger the ears.

Be sure you are aware of the kinds of noises that could cause damage to your ears. It's an excellent idea to wear earplugs or earmuffs when doing a loud activity. Be sure to get regular ear and hearing check-ups.

A Folk Remedy: In Middle Ages, doctors cured deafness by using garlic.