Managing Tinnitus

To put it simply, the best method to deal with tinnitus is to turn off the sound. We know that there is currently no FDA-approved medication to cure tinnitus, and controlled research have revealed that no drug, supplement, or herb is more beneficial than a placebo.

The next best option to shutting off the sound is to ignore it...

This is called ‘habituation,' and it is the brain's technique of reducing its reaction to repeated inputs (for example, sounds). Sound habituation is achieved by devaluing specific noises, such as tinnitus.

The way you perceive a sound is heavily influenced by your associations and reactions to it. The good news is that the brain can learn to lessen the importance of noises that were previously perceived negatively.

Aside from addressing underlying issues (such as depression or insomnia), there are some excellent tools to help patients manage their condition; treatments that reduce the perceived intensity, omnipresence, and burden of tinnitus. These currently available treatments are not “cures” — they neither repair the underlying causes of tinnitus, nor eliminate the tinnitus signal in the brain. Instead, they address the attentional, emotional, and cognitive impact of tinnitus. They help patients live better, more fulfilling, and more productive lives, even if the perception of tinnitus remains.

In order to find a strategy that works for you, you may need to experiment with a variety of methods listed below.