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What Can Stop This Ringing in My Ears?
Nothing’s quite as annoying as a constant ringing in your ears, and if it’s something you’ve been struggling with, you’re not alone. The American Tinnitus Association estimates that 50 million American adults have tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears.
If you’re affected by tinnitus, it’s natural to wonder what you can do to stop the ringing. That’s where we come into the picture. Conrad Kyle McCutcheon, MD, FACS, and Marty Lippeatt, Au.D., can determine the source of your tinnitus and then create the appropriate treatment plan for you at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing in Houston, Texas.
What’s causing the ringing in your ears?
First things first: You have to know what’s causing the ringing in your ears before you can find the right treatment.
Age-related hearing loss, earwax buildup, and exposure to loud noises can contribute to tinnitus. Frequent exposure to loud environments can lead to chronic tinnitus and long-term ear damage, but you could also experience short-term ringing in your years from a one-off exposure to loud noises.
Conditions not related to hearing can also contribute to tinnitus. Issues such as high blood pressure, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and Meniere’s disease are some examples.
Some drugs, including certain antibiotics and pain relievers, have ringing in the ears as a side effect. If you suspect that your tinnitus is related to a medication, let your prescribing provider know. Never alter your medication schedule unless your physician directs you to do so.
How to manage tinnitus
While there isn’t a single cure for tinnitus, several strategies can help minimize its impact on your life.
Treat the underlying condition
If an underlying medical issue, such as an ear infection or high blood pressure, is causing your tinnitus, addressing it may help reduce the ringing — or eliminate it altogether.
Dr. McCutcheon and Dr. Lippeatt can evaluate your ears and hearing and assess any damage to determine if any ear-related issues are contributing to the ringing in your ears. Depending on your needs, our team may recommend ear wax removal, hearing aids, or antibiotics to clear any infections.
Use sound therapy
Sound therapy doesn’t eliminate tinnitus, but it can help retrain your brain’s response to the ringing. White noise machines, fans, or soft background music can help mask tinnitus and make it less noticeable, especially at night. This means you may have an easier time falling asleep.
Try hearing aids with tinnitus-masking features
For patients with hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify external sounds, which makes tinnitus less noticeable. Some hearing aids also include tinnitus-masking features designed to reduce the perception of ringing. If you need hearing aids, Dr. Lippeatt can review the many options with you.
Consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Hearing a sound that no one else can hear can take a toll on your mental health. Chronic tinnitus can increase your risk of anxiety and depression.
Just as with sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy doesn’t treat the ringing in your years, but it can help you cope. CBT, which teaches techniques to reduce stress and improve the quality of your life, can help you manage the emotional and psychological impact of tinnitus.
Tinnitus retraining therapy
Tinnitus retraining therapy combines sound therapy and counseling to help retrain how your brain processes tinnitus. The goal is to help you learn how to mask your tinnitus over time. It can take up to 18 months for this process, but most people notice improvements within three months.
When to seek care for tinnitus
If you’re wondering what can stop the ringing in your ears, understand that the solution can vary from person to person. We’re here to help get you the answers you need, and you don’t need to wait for tinnitus to get worse before reaching out to the Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing team.
If your tinnitus is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by dizziness or hearing loss, call 281-822-3777 or request an appointment online.
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