Local Life - Wigan - March 2019

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Tinnitus Treatment
Around 1 in 5 British adults suffer from persistent
buzzing, ringing or humming in their ears. Tinnitus is
particularly prevalent in the elderly, affecting around
24%, but the condition can strike any age, whether
temporarily or permanently.
There’s no one unifying cause of tinnitus. Whether
caused by loud music or long-term noise exposure,
general hearing loss, or as a symptom of an
underlying condition, getting a conclusive diagnosis
can be difficult. But there are things you can do to
improve quality of life with tinnitus.
Speak to your GP. Sometimes tinnitus is caused by
something as innocuous as earwax – removing this
can decrease the symptoms and lessen the noise.
Underlying vascular conditions such as high blood
pressure or an aneurysm can cause pulsatile tinnitus,
which can be treated through medication or surgery.
Avoiding loud noises, caffeine and nicotine means
lessening the stressors associated with tinnitus.
Stress management is key to managing the
condition – if the sound in your ears is making you
stressed, try covering it with soft music, the sound of
a fan whirring, or some white noise.
White noise isn’t limited to a flat hum. White noise
machines can simulate an immersive habitat, such as
falling rain or ocean waves, and aims to drown out
background sounds. A white noise machine might
be a worthy investment if you suffer from tinnitus, as
it can help drown out the inner-ear sounds.
Masking devices aim to replicate the sound of white
noise via an in-ear device, similar to a hearing aid.
They produce a continuous white noise to help
suppress symptoms.
If you suffer from constant tinnitus, support groups
are out there to meet other people going through a
similar experience.