1. Take Charge
Ringing. Buzzing. Swooshing. The phantom sounds of tinnitus in your ears can be irritating and sometimes, loud enough to be debilitating. But you can fight tinnitus by taking care of your overall health (both physical and psychological). If your blood pressure is high, get it down to a healthy range and keep it there. Cut back on salt. Avoid caffeine and nicotine, and stay away from large doses of aspirin or aspirin products. It also helps to protect your ears from loud noises.
2. Distract Yourself
Try to stop worrying about the tinnitus. Often, the more you worry and concentrate on the noise, the louder it becomes. Use relaxation therapy, biofeedback or exercise to fight tinnitus. Try yoga. Take a course in time management. Stay positive.
3. Use Competing Sounds
Use competing or masking sounds. Tinnitus usually seems louder when you're in a quiet place, especially when you're in bed. Use a ticking clock, a radio, a fan or a white noise machine to fight tinnitus. Small hearing aid-like devices that generate a competitive sound can also lessen the intensity. If you have hearing loss, too, try a hearing aid. These can help by amplifying outside sounds.
4. Check Out Medications
Some people have had good luck with tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, but these medications have side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation. In clinical trials, the migraine medication gabapentin (Neurontin) and acamprosate (Campral), a drug used to treat alcoholism, have also helped some people fight tinnitus. Ask your doctor about these options.
5. Investigate New Treatments
Neuromonics, Inc. makes a device that delivers broadband sounds digitally embedded in soothing music. According to a small study funded by the company, the product is 90 percent effective, but it costs $5,000 and isn't usually covered by insurance. Magnetic therapy involves holding a magnet in the shape of a figure eight over the skull and directing magnetic pulses to the areas of the brain responsible for interpreting sound. This approach also works for some people. Ask your doctor if it might be right for you.
