| Imagine hearing an unrelenting noise in your head, its volume ranging from a ring to a roar. This maddening noise, called tinnitus, victimizes nearly 36 million Americans, most of them older adults. Seven million people are so seriously bothered by tinnitus that living a normal life is impossible. No mere distraction, tinnitus can interfere with work, sleep, and ordinary communication with others.
Like a toothache, tinnitus isn't a disease in itself but a symptom of another problem. Ear wax blocking the ear canals, food allergies, reactions to medications, middle-ear infection, blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, auditory nerve abnormality (due to exposure to loud noise), diabetes, and (rarely) brain tumors can cause tinnitus. And sometimes, tinnitus is due to advancing age. It often accompanies loss of hearing. Occasionally, tinnitus is temporary and will not lead to deafness. (For proper diagnosis, consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist.)
What can you do to relieve tinnitus?
- For mild cases, play the radio or a white noise tape (white noise is a low, constant sound) in the background to help mask the tinnitus.
- Ask your doctor about a recently developed tinnitus masker, which looks like a hearing aid, Worn on the ear, it makes a subtle noise that masks the tinnitus without interfering with hearing and speech.
- Biofeedback or other relaxation techniques can help you calm down and concentrate, shifting your attention away from the tinnitus.
- Exercise regularly to promote good blood circulation.
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