Tinnitus and Meniere’s Disease sufferers might want to consider a low-salt
diet, as salt consumption is strongly linked to the onset of symptoms.
Caffeine consumption is a common diet-related tinnitus topic of concern.
Caffeine’s effect on tinnitus symptoms has not been well studied. In the
end, tinnitus patients should monitor their own caffeine use and modify
accordingly. If caffeine considerably increases your tinnitus, you may want
to reduce your intake; if caffeine has no effect on your tinnitus and/or is
a pleasant part of your daily routine, you may want to continue your normal
intake as well. (This general guideline applies to most other dietary
factors as well, such as alcoholic beverages.)
Exercise:In addition to improving your physical health,
exercising can also improve your emotional well-being and lessen the effects
of tinnitus. Stress has been shown to exacerbate the symptoms of tinnitus,
thus engaging in regular physical activity can help.
Social Interaction:Often tinnitus sufferer’s express feelings of
social isolation as a result of communication difficulties, sound
sensitivity, and/or irritability. Unfortunately, withdrawing from social
situations produces a cycle of negative reinforcements that may exacerbate
tinnitus. (Isolation causes patients to focus their attention more on their
tinnitus, which reduces their likelihood of socializing, which further
concentrates attention on tinnitus, and so forth.) Social interactions with
friends, family, and peers can serve as a beneficial distraction for those
suffering from tinnitus symptoms. Additionally, they can boost emotional
well-being, general sentiments of happiness, and optimism. When you share
your story with others, you can build a network of people who can provide
emotional support and encouragement when you need it most.
Hobbies and Recreational Activities:Some patients feel that
having tinnitus means giving up hobbies. That is not the case. Patients can
and should continue to engage in things that bring them joy and provide
pleasant distractions from their tinnitus.
Some hobbies may even directly mask tinnitus. Many cyclists report that the
sound of wind rushing through their ears masks their tinnitus (Of fact, each
patient is unique, and a sound that masks one person may irritate another.)
Tinnitus patients may need to make slight changes or take precautions before
participating in some recreational activities, particularly those that
entail loud noise. Patients should see their hearing health specialist for
advice on the proper hearing protection to wear during these activities.
Stress Management with Biofeedback:By and large, any activity
that alleviates stress may also alleviate the severity of tinnitus symptoms.
Along with diet, exercise, and socialization, patients may find
mindfulness-based stress-relief techniques useful.
Biofeedback is a type of relaxation therapy that teaches patients how to
regulate various autonomic body processes such as pulse, muscular tension,
and skin temperature. Biofeedback aims to assist individuals in managing
stress and anxiety by altering the body’s response to these negative
influences. By changing the patient’s thoughts and feelings, the body’s
stress reaction can be minimized. Biofeedback is used to treat a range of
chronic disorders, and many tinnitus patients report a decrease in symptoms
when they are able to manage their stress.
Hypnotherapy:: Hypnotherapy has been shown to aid in relaxation
and managing anxiety. Additionally, it may change neuronal connections
between different parts of the brain. As such, it is frequently promoted as
a beneficial health choice for those suffering with tinnitus.
Protective Hearing Devices: Personal hearing protection can help many
individuals, especially those with high sound sensitivity. Earmuffs, ear
plugs, and other sound mufflers help protect against painful sounds and
future auditory system damage.
While wearing hearing protection is recommended, it does not cure tinnitus.
Because these items filter ambient sounds, some patients report that their
tinnitus increases louder when using them.
