Tinnitus Treatment - What You Need to Know
Tinnitus is a noise or ringing in the ears that has no external source. It can be a buzzing, hissing, chirping or ringing sound in one or both ears. Some people can hear this ringing all the time and others it only happens when they are very quiet or asleep. It can be mild to severe, but it is never life threatening and the good news is that there are a lot of treatments available.
It is important to see your GP if you think you have tinnitus. They will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical examination including checking your ears. They may refer you to an audiologist or ear nose and throat specialist (ENT) for hearing tests. Depending on your other symptoms they may also suggest x-rays or scans.
Once you have had your assessment and diagnosis it is a good idea to see a tinnitus specialist. These are usually audiologists or ENTs and are very experienced in treating patients with tinnitus. They will be able to talk you through the various treatment options available and give you some hope for your tinnitus relief.
There are many different tinnitus treatments Perth, each with its own approach, procedures and equipment. The cost of each will vary and you will need to discuss this with your audiologist or tinnitus specialist.
Tinnitus treatment will most often be aimed at trying to make your tinnitus less noticeable. This can be done by using a masking or sound therapy method or by using the tinnitus desensitization technique. The goal of this is to distract your brain from the tinnitus so it doesn’t have to focus on it. There are some clinical trials showing that this type of tinnitus treatment is effective.
Other tinnitus treatments include avoiding loud noises and finding ways to relax or control your stress levels. It is also advisable to avoid caffeine, which can worsen tinnitus, and take a magnesium supplement. Ginkgo biloba is another natural remedy that has been shown to improve circulation, especially in the hearing pathways.
The reasons why tinnitus develops are not always clear, although it most often occurs after an injury to the auditory pathway and can cause maladaptive neural changes in the hearing, attentional, memory and cognitive areas of the brain. Some experts think that tinnitus is a result of the brain’s attempt to compensate for hearing loss.
Having your tinnitus treated is the most important thing you can do, as it will help you to manage your tinnitus and reduce the negative emotional effects that it can have on your life. If you are feeling really down or have thoughts of suicide contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. It is important to get tinnitus treatment as soon as possible. If you delay getting help you might not be able to stop the tinnitus from getting worse. It’s also important to remember that tinnitus is not dangerous and that you can learn to live with it.
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