{"id":846,"date":"2019-07-30T18:41:32","date_gmt":"2019-07-30T18:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nalent.com\/?p=846"},"modified":"2019-07-30T18:41:32","modified_gmt":"2019-07-30T18:41:32","slug":"how-is-tinnitus-treated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nalent.com\/how-is-tinnitus-treated\/","title":{"rendered":"How is Tinnitus Treated?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are bothered by a persistent ringing in your ears, you are not imagining things \u2013 even if nobody else notices the sound. You are actually experiencing tinnitus<\/strong>, and you are far from alone! If you\u2019re one of 10 people riding a bus in Madison, then it\u2019s safe to assume that one other person is also suffering from tinnitus. Approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population is afflicted to some degree.<\/p>\n

What is Tinnitus?<\/h2>\n

\"Bells<\/p>\n

Tinnitus<\/a> is most commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but for some people, the sound is more reminiscent of a whooshing, roaring, whistling, clicking, or buzzing. Tinnitus isn\u2019t an actual medical condition \u2013 rather, it\u2019s a symptom of something else. The underlying cause may be attributed to aging, noise exposure<\/a>, infections, allergies, earwax, foreign objects in the ears, or medications. Many times, the exact cause remains undetermined.<\/p>\n

Tinnitus is classified as either subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (heard by others). The latter type is extremely rare; most of cases are subjective. Similarly, tinnitus may be either pulsatile (a rhythmical noise that beats in conjunction with your pulse) or non-pulsatile. The vast majority of patients report non-pulsatile tinnitus.<\/p>\n

Tinnitus Management Strategies<\/h2>\n

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but there is no cure for tinnitus. Sometimes, treating the underlying cause will provide relief. Removing built up earwax or switching medications may be all that is needed to reduce or eliminate the problem.<\/p>\n

Most treatment solutions<\/a> involve management strategies. Noise suppression techniques are a popular and effective method. Electronic devices that produce \u201cwhite noise\u201d help to mask the underlying sounds and are especially helpful at night when trying to sleep. You can buy a white noise machine specifically designed for this task, but often a fan, air conditioner, or humidifier will help you achieve the same effect. Tinnitus retraining devices work in much the same way, but rely on programmed musical patterns delivered at specific frequencies to direct your brain\u2019s attention away from the tinnitus.<\/p>\n

Some people swear by natural remedies such as gingko<\/a> biloba, zinc, and niacin, but there is no scientific evidence to back up their claims. Others find relief from antidepressants.<\/p>\n

Other treatments for tinnitus include the following:<\/p>\n