Effective Ways to Manage Tinnitus
What to do when the ringing in your ears persists. BY CHARLOTTE LIBOV
M
ichael rodriguez was watching TV when he suddenly heard buzzing.
He switched off the television
but the sound persisted, and a few nights later, it awakened him. “I thought I was going crazy,”
Rodriguez says. He later learned the sounds were due to tinnitus. Rodriguez, 47, is among the 50
million Americans — or 15% of the population — with tinnitus. Although commonly known
as “ringing in the ears,” people can perceive a variety of sounds, including buzzing, hissing, whistling, clicking, and chirping, audiologist Tricia Sheehan Scaglione tells Newsmax. She believes this number is
greatly underestimated. “I think many more people
experience tinnitus, but they don’t think to tell their doctor,” says Scaglione, an assistant professor and clinical audiologist who heads the Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivities Clinic at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “While the vast majority
of people who have tinnitus are able to ignore it, there are approximately 2 million Americans who find it debilitating and, in the worst cases, catastrophic,” she says. Although you might expect
an individual’s perception to conform to the degree of tinnitus they have, this isn’t necessarily the case, Scaglione says. Some people with louder tinnitus may
“brush it off,” while others who hear quieter sounds may be extremely distressed, she says, adding, “It very much depends on the individual.”
UNDERLYING CAUSES When caused by an ear infection or ear canal blockage, tinnitus may disappear once the problem is resolved. Chronic or long-lasting tinnitus
has a variety of possible causes. For example, it can occur as a result of age-related hearing loss or from hearing damage due to noise exposure at a construction site, or listening to loud music through ear buds. Viral and bacterial infections can
also precipitate tinnitus. In fact, tinnitus has been reported by some patients following COVID-19. Some medications, such as chemotherapy, can contribute to its onset, Scaglione says.
GETTING TREATMENT Tinnitus is generally harmless,
however, it’s important to see an otolaryngologist (a physician who specializes in ear, nose, and throat conditions) and an audiologist (a hearing loss specialist) if your perception of your tinnitus is impacting your quality of life. Other reasons to consult a doctor
are: if your tinnitus comes on suddenly, you have a change in your hearing, your tinnitus sounds like your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus), or if you perceive it in only one ear. These symptoms may indicate
an underlying condition that may require further treatment. Tinnitus is not usually
progressive — meaning, in most cases it doesn’t get worse — and sometimes it can improve. While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are a number of ways to reduce its perception. Lifestyle changes. “We use the
acronym CATS — caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sodium, or salt. Some people find that these substances can make their tinnitus temporarily worse,” Scaglione says. Exercise and getting enough sleep can be helpful for easing symptoms. Behavioral therapy. For people
whose tinnitus triggers strong emotions like anxiety, depression, and anger, therapies such as relaxation, meditation, and other coping strategies may be especially effective. These techniques help alleviate stress, which often makes tinnitus worse, Scaglione says. Sound enrichment. Sounds from
the TV, phone apps, conversation or music are sometimes all that some people may need to lessen their perception of their tinnitus, Scaglione explains. As for Rodriguez, he’s been
working with a therapist on different techniques, and his tinnitus has improved. “I’ve realized that I could have far worse things. Tinnitus is my shadow, and I’ve learned to live with it.”
MAY 2022 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 85
INNA CHAPKEVYCH
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