Does Tinnitus Ever Go Away or Is Management the Goal?
- The distressing sounds associated with tinnitus might not go away on their own, but you can manage the symptoms to help reduce their effect on your life.
- Some tinnitus patients find relief from a combination of sound therapy and other therapies that help regulate emotions, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
- Chronic tinnitus can be managed, so you can relax, sleep better, and enjoy life again!
That buzzing or ringing sound in your ears is not something you want to listen to for the rest of your life. Whether you have just learned about tinnitus or you have had it for a long time, you may be wondering — does tinnitus go away?
Tinnitus symptoms and causes vary, so the sounds you are experiencing might go away, or they might not. Either way, it's a good idea to explore tinnitus treatment options and learn about tinnitus management, so you can find peace.
Can Tinnitus Be Temporary?
Yes, tinnitus can be temporary. It may go away on its own, or you may be able to achieve positive results with tinnitus treatments. In some cases, if the cause of the tinnitus is discovered, the cause can be treated and the tinnitus may go away. For example, if the sounds are caused by earwax buildup, removing the earwax could be a simple solution to the problem.
Chronic vs Acute Tinnitus
Tinnitus that is in the early onset stage, typically less than six months, is considered to be acute. At this stage, the patient may be trying to find out what the cause of the sound is. Some causes of acute tinnitus can be addressed, reducing or eliminating the sounds.
Chronic tinnitus is tinnitus that is still present after about two years. While there is still a chance that the sounds may go away or decrease on their own, it is in the patient's best interests to find ways to manage the symptoms.
Why Management Is Often the Goal
Learning how to manage tinnitus is usually worth the effort because it can make a big difference. Sometimes, simple changes can reduce your anxiety and help you live with the sounds. Tinnitus management may include avoiding things that make the sounds worse, such as loud noises and stressful situations. It could involve using a tinnitus device to retrain your brain to perceive the sounds differently. Patients with acute or chronic tinnitus can find ways to relieve the symptoms.
How Modern Treatments Improve Quality of Life
Tinnitus can seem annoying at best and unbearable at worst. Reducing your symptoms through modern tinnitus treatments can improve the quality of your life by helping you associate the sounds with a different emotion and allowing you to live and sleep with less anxiety and stress.
If hearing loss is the main cause for your tinnitus, hearing treatment, such as the use of hearing aids, can help take care of the tinnitus. In fact, there is hearing aid technology available that specifically helps with tinnitus by masking the distressing sounds with other gentle sounds.
Other types of tinnitus treatments help retrain your brain to perceive the sounds differently. This can help remove the anxiety of hearing the sounds, which in turn can diminish the effects of the tinnitus. Instead of being stressed out, you may learn to relax and increase your comfort level.
Advanced
tinnitus treatments used at Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona include:
- Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Sound Therapy
Tinnitus treatments may include a combination of strategies because they can work together to increase the success of your overall treatment.
Start Managing Your Tinnitus for the Long Term
You don't have to live with the constant stress of tinnitus. Chronic tinnitus can be managed through strategic treatment plans. Contact a tinnitus specialist at Tinnitus & Hearing Center of Arizona, and schedule a hearing assessment. Take the next step toward leading a better life!
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pikselstock / Shutterstock
