What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of a buzzing or ringing noise in the ears. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, tinnitus is a common problem, affecting approximately 25 million Americans annually. Tinnitus is not a condition itself—instead, it’s a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss or a circulatory system disorder.

Although hearing a phantom ringing or buzzing noise can be irritating, tinnitus typically isn’t a symptom of a serious condition. Tinnitus can worsen with age, but for many people, the ringing or buzzing noise can improve with treatment. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the available treatment options for individuals with tinnitus.

How is tinnitus treated?

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Once you receive a diagnosis, your doctor will attempt to identify underlying, treatable conditions that may be causing your symptoms. If your tinnitus is due to an underlying condition, your doctor will take steps to reduce the phantom noise. Common treatment options include earwax removal, treating an underlying blood vessel condition, or changing your prescription.

For some individuals, white noise can suppress the phantom ringing or buzzing to make it less bothersome. Some doctors recommend using an electronic device, like a white noise machine or hearing aids, to suppress the noise. 

What is the most effective treatment for tinnitus?

Photo Credit: Unsplash

It’s important to keep in mind that the effectiveness of tinnitus treatment options will vary per individual. Consequently, some individuals with tinnitus will need to experiment with different treatment options to find what works for them. 

For many individuals with tinnitus, personalized sound therapy is an extremely effective treatment. According to Hearing Health USA, a network of over 220 audiology and hearing clinics across the United States, personalized sound therapy has a clinically proven success rate of 90 percent.

With Hearing Health USA, treatments are personalized to cater to individual needs. State-of-the-art software assesses the needs of each patient, making unique changes to music based on tinnitus research. Patients can enjoy treatment on a regular music-playing device, making sound therapy treatment a comfortable, convenient, and affordable treatment option for tinnitus.

When should you see a doctor?

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Experiencing tinnitus on a day-to-day basis can significantly lower your quality of life, making it difficult to function at work or school. If you have tinnitus that irritates you, make an appointment with your doctor. You should also contact your doctor if you develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection and the tinnitus doesn’t improve after a week.

If you experience hearing loss or dizziness due to tinnitus, or if your tinnitus occurs suddenly without any apparent cause, contact your doctor immediately.

Can tinnitus be prevented?

Photo Credit: Unsplash

In most cases, tinnitus cannot be prevented. However, taking precautions may help prevent certain kinds of tinnitus and improve tinnitus. For example, using hearing protection can prevent damage to the nerves in the ears, which can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. If you’re a musician or use loud machinery, always make sure to wear over-the-ear hearing protection.

Additionally, avoid listening to music at high volumes. Long-term exposure to high-volume music with no ear protection or listening to music through headphones can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. 

Finally, take steps to improve your cardiovascular health. Regularly exercising, eating right, and taking additional steps to keep your blood vessels healthy can prevent blood vessel disorder-related tinnitus.

If your tinnitus significantly influences your quality of life, contact your doctor to discuss the available treatment options. If you’re worried about paying for tinnitus treatment, use HealthQuoteGurus to find the best pricing for the health insurance plan you need. From family health plans to supplemental health insurance, HealthQuoteGurus can help you compare health insurance policies to find a flexible, affordable, and secure plan that covers treatment for tinnitus and any underlying conditions.