Helpful Tinnitus Tips

1. Avoid excessive loud sound. If you must be exposed, use ear protectors such as ear plugs or ear muffs.
2. Make every effort to avoid nervous anxiety, for this only stimulates an already tense auditory system.
3. Make every attempt to obtain adequate sleep and rest. Tinnitus is often worse when tired and/or stressed.
4. Avoid the use of nerve stimulants. Excessive amounts of coffee (caffeine) and smoking (nicotine) should be avoided.
5. Learn as quickly as possible to accept the existence of the tinnitus as an annoying reality. Try to avoid monitoring your tinnitus as much as possible.
6. Tinnitus is usually more bothersome after one goes to bed and the surroundings become quiet. Any noise in the room, such as a fan or an environmental white noise machine, will serve as a masker.
7. There are many smart-phone and computer applications available that can serve as a tinnitus masker. Should this option be tried first, it is important to use it properly. It is recommended that one uses a sound that is considered relaxing, set at a level that mixes with the tinnitus (not at a level that over-masks the tinnitus) whenever it is most bothersome. This option, while not effective for everyone, can also aid in habituation like ear-level devices.
8. Other form of medication (ex sleep aid, anti-anxiety medication, etc.) are often prescribed to people with tinnitus as well. These should be administered and use under the guidance of your doctor.