It is important to keep in mind that tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. As such, the optimal treatment strategy should be directed toward eliminating the disease cause, rather than simply alleviating the symptom. Also, because tinnitus may be symptomatic of a more serious disorder, it is important to try to find the medical cause before deciding on treatment.
Preventing and Minimizing Tinnitus
Here are a few things patients can do to help prevent and minimize tinnitus:
- Reduce exposure to extremely loud noise
- Avoid total silence
- Decrease salt intake
- Monitor one’s blood pressure
- Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine
- Exercise
- Reduce fatigue
- Manage stress
- Educate yourself
While there is no known cure for most forms of tinnitus, there are many management options available and most tinnitus sufferers can find varying degrees of relief from one or a combination of the treatment options.