Suggestions for Managing Tinnitus

Consult your doctor to eliminate medical causes.

Avoid exposure to loud noise. When you absolutely can’t avoid it, limit your exposure time and wear hearing protection.

Carry hearing protectors with you at all times. Choose earplugs that are easy to insert and allow you to hear clearly (like musician’s earplugs; see Chapter 11).

Avoid quiet. Because quiet environments tend to make tinnitus worse, use a masker in quiet places (for example, at your bedside). Experiment to learn which sounds and devices are most helpful in each problem situation.

Keep your ears active; iPods and other MP3 players can be worn in almost any environment. Music provides an auditory background and takes attention away from the tinnitus, but keep the volume low!

Avoid medications that could make tinnitus worse.

Exercise daily to reduce stress and improve circulation.

Get plenty of rest and avoid fatigue (fatigue tends to make tinnitus worse).

Eat a healthy diet that’s low in salt (avoid high blood pressure).

If your blood pressure is high, do what’s necessary to control it (high blood pressure can cause tinnitus).

Get your mind off tinnitus and spend more time doing things that you enjoy!

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Many alternative therapies are used to treat tinnitus. For some, the primary benefit is their ability to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Although none has undergone rigorous scientific evaluation, all are reported to have helped someone with tinnitus (this is called anecdotal evidence). There’s no guarantee that any of these techniques will provide relief from your tinnitus; therefore be aware that you could be spending money for something that does not help you. And, of course, always check with your doctor before trying something new. Such treatments include (but are not limited to) acupressure, acupuncture, the Alexander technique, aromatherapy, chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy, ear canal magnets, electrical or electromagnetic stimulation, homeopathy, hyperbaric oxygen, hypnotherapy, low-power laser therapy, magnets and magnetic stimulation, massage, meditation, melatonin, osteopathy, reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Tai Chi, TMJ treatment, ultrasound, and vibrational therapy. In addition, some people have had success with B vitamins, herbal preparations (such as ginkgo biloba), and minerals (such as magnesium and zinc). Again, always check with your doctor before initiating any alternative treatment.

Tinnitus and Military Service

Between 2001 and 2005, the number of veterans receiving servicerelated disability benefits for tinnitus and hearing loss increased by 275 percent.4 Tinnitus has always been one of the top five serviceconnected disabilities, even during peacetime; however, among veterans who began receiving compensation in 2005, it was the most frequent service-related disability (hearing loss was second).5 In 2006, tinnitus disability payments to veterans topped $539 million. If this trend continues, payments are expected to top $1.1 billion by 2011.6

Hyperacusis

The term hyperacusis describes an extreme sensitivity to sound experienced by some people with normal hearing (often children). Everyday sounds that other people don’t find bothersome can be painful or frightening to people with hyperacusis. The cause is unknown, but the condition is often associated with tinnitus. TRT and CBT can be helpful in gradually increasing tolerance to sound.

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PART II

Learning about the Solutions

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