Do you ever hear a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears that no one else seems to notice? If so, you may be experiencing tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external sound present. It affects approximately 15-20% of the population and can be a frustrating and distressing condition to live with.

While there is no cure, there are ways to manage the condition and reduce its impact on your daily life. Read on to learn some coping strategies for tinnitus and where to find the best audiologist in Santa Monica for tinnitus treatment options.

What Are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?

Symptoms include persistent or intermittent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in your ears. It is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to loud noise, ear infections, or age-related hearing loss.

Tinnitus can also be temporary or chronic, and it can range in severity from a mild annoyance to a debilitating condition that interferes with your daily life. Some people may experience ringing in only one ear, while others may hear it in both ears.

In some cases, treating the underlying condition may alleviate your symptoms. In other cases, you may need coping strategies like sound therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy to help you live with your tinnitus.

What Causes Tinnitus?

One of the most common questions we get asked is, “Why do my ears ring?” While the exact causes are not fully understood, there are several things that we do know can contribute to its development. Some of the most common causes include: 

  • Hearing damage from exposure to loud noise
  • Certain medications, such as medications for your heart or blood pressure
  • Underlying health conditions, like ear infections and diabetes 
  • Blockage of the ear canal by earwax build-up, fluid, or a foreign object in the ear
  • Age-related hearing loss

How Can Tinnitus Impact Your Life? 

Tinnitus is a condition where you hear low but constant sounds in your ears that are not actually present in your environment. This condition can be incredibly frustrating and distracting for some people — and even make it difficult to focus on daily tasks or enjoy your favorite activities.

One of the most significant impacts tinnitus can have on people is sleep disruption. The constant noise in your ears can make it challenging to fall asleep or stay asleep, leading to fatigue and irritability during the day. Additionally, the stress and anxiety that often come with constant ringing in the ears can make it even harder to get a good night's rest. For some people, this fatigue and stress can then affect work life, hobbies, and social life. 

Effective Ways to Manage Chronic Tinnitus

At Arcade Hearing Aid Center, another common question we get is, “How can I cope with Tinnitus?” While there is no cure, there are several strategies that can help you manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Here are some of the most effective ways to cope:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to your symptoms. CBT can also teach you coping skills to manage the distress caused by tinnitus. Studies have shown that CBT can be very effective in reducing the severity of tinnitus and improving quality of life.

2. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or tai chi, can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which can worsen tinnitus symptoms. 

3. Sound Therapy

Sound therapy involves using external sounds to mask or distract from the ringing in your ears. This can include white noise machines, music, or nature sounds. Sound therapy can also include devices that produce low-level background noise, such as hearing aids or sound generators. Sound therapy can be highly effective in reducing your perception of tinnitus-related sounds and improving your ability to concentrate and sleep.

4. Hearing Aids 

Another question that we get often at Arcade Hearing Aid Center is, “Can hearing aids help my tinnitus?” Tinnitus is a common symptom of hearing loss and hearing damage. In both of these cases, using hearing aids can be an effective solution. In fact, most people with hearing loss-related tinnitus find significant relief with the use of hearing aids. 

Hearing aids work well for tinnitus in three ways: 

  1. Your brain can take in more sounds with the amplification of ambient sounds that hearing aids provide.
  2. Hearing aids can lower your stress level by reducing the amount of effort needed to hear and understand sounds around you. 
  3. Hearing aids can also lessen your symptoms with tones and sounds that mask the exact frequency of your tinnitus sounds.

While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are many treatments and strategies that can help you manage your symptoms. Working with a knowledgeable audiologist can help you find the best treatment plan for you.

Where to Get the Best Tinnitus Treatment From an Audiologist in Santa Monica 

Living with tinnitus can be challenging, but there are ways to cope with the symptoms and reduce their impact on your daily life. Working with an audiologist can help you manage your symptoms better by coming up with a personalized treatment plan. 

At Arcade Hearing Aid Center, we understand how frustrating and disruptive tinnitus can be. That’s why our expert team of board-certified audiologists uses the latest hearing technology and a patient-first approach to find the most effective and comfortable treatment for tinnitus symptoms in Santa Monica. 

At our state-of-the-art Santa Monica office, you can expect a caring, friendly, and knowledgeable staff of experts who can help you find the best treatment for all hearing-related problems, including:

  • Hearing consultations
  • Hearing aids
  • Hearing protection
  • Personalized tinnitus symptom management 

Ready to get your tinnitus symptoms and the ringing in your ears under control in Santa Monica?