Tinnitus is a very common auditory issue that is experienced by over 25-million Americans. While severity levels can vary greatly from one person to the next, finding ways to manage the symptoms is hugely beneficial for anyone who experiences them. Holistic approaches supported by a professional audiologist will have the most positive impact. Here are five top tips to help manage tinnitus symptoms in your daily life.

Wear Hearing Aids

Tinnitus isn’t a condition in itself. Instead, the symptoms are a result of other hearing-related issues. Oftentimes, your brain hears noises despite no external source of sound because it attempts to fill in the blanks. As such, visiting an audiologist to gain a prescription for hearing aids should be the priority for anyone who has signs of hearing loss. By improving the range of external sounds that you can hear, the presence of internal noises will fall. Meanwhile, many advanced devices include white noise or melody features to drown out the tinnitus.

Try Earwax Removal

Earwax is . Unfortunately, an excessive build-up may exacerbate tinnitus symptoms. It occurs because the wax blocks your ear canal, thus causing temporary reduced hearing capabilities. Moreover, many people cause further problems by damaging the ear with cotton swabs as they can push the earwax deeper in the canal.

The best option for removing earwax is to book an appointment with an audiologist. A family doctor can refer you to an audiologist who will be able to remove your earwax or help you with any other related hearing conditions.

Undergo Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus retraining therapy is another effective treatment for managing tinnitus symptoms. It combines sound masking with psychological therapy that teaches individuals to stop noticing the presence of tinnitus. In turn, this unlocks a better quality of life and improves human communication. An audiologist can help you book TRT sessions. It is shown to help enjoy a noticeable improvement and better quality of life. Therefore, it is certainly an option worth trying after extended experiences of tinnitus.

Use a Sound Machine

As highlighted by the use of advanced hearing aids, drowning out tinnitus is often the most effective way to reduce their impact on daily activities. Sound machines are available in various styles. Wearables are great for when out and about. Meanwhile, white noise machines for the bedroom are ideal sleep aids. Like the other solutions in this guide, a sound machine does not cure tinnitus. Instead, the focus revolves around the concept of making it less noticeable in daily life. This will lead to increased happiness levels.

Quit Smoking and Drinking

Finally, some healthy lifestyle changes can actively support improved hearing health. Smoking is scientifically shown to constrict blood vessels, which can subsequently harm your hearing health and cause tinnitus symptoms to become more noticeable. Therefore, the presence of tinnitus can be a great incentive to finally quit.

Conversely, alcohol causes the blood vessels to relax and expand. This can also lead to tinnitus symptoms, alongside other health complaints. Implement the necessary lifestyle changes along with tinnitus management to unlock the best results. Talk with an audiologist if you are experiencing tinnitus.