4 Myths About Tinnitus

Many people at some point in their life can experience feelings of tinnitus (when you notice a persistent ringing in your ears). While tinnitus isn’t an overly alarming issue, it is something that you should consult with an audiologist regarding diagnosis and treatment. An audiologist can help you find positive solutions that will help you deal with the persistent ringing on a daily basis.

Although it can be irritating to deal with the constant ringing in your ear when there is no external sound, it can be managed through lifestyle modifications and tinnitus retraining therapy.

Being aware of common myths surrounding tinnitus is useful to understand so that you can distinguish between fact and fiction. Here are some examples of particularly common myths relating to tinnitus.

1. There is no treatment

This is most certainly not the case and you should not feel as though you just have to deal with the constant ringing. An audiologist specializes in this field and will be able to determine which solution is suitable for you. They are able to offer a variety of solutions to help you manage tinnitus such as relaxation therapy, tinnitus masking hearing aids, electrical stimulation and relaxation techniques. So, there are most certainly positive solutions to dealing with and managing tinnitus.

2. Tinnitus is caused by frequently listening to loud music

There is no evidence that frequently listening to loud music or using earbuds can actually cause tinnitus. It can affect people of all ages and race and is just one of those things that occurs naturally. So, trying to avoid listening to loud music is no guarantee that this will help to prevent you from experiencing tinnitus.

3. Diet alone can cure tinnitus 

Each individual is different so what might work for one person may not be useful for someone else. There is no proof that cutting out caffeine or salt from your diet will help to relieve symptoms of tinnitus. This is where an audiologist can help by finding the right solution through therapy or using hearing aids with masking features. It is best not to cut out specific food groups from your diet without consulting a professional first.

4. Hearing aids won’t help with tinnitus 

While hearing aids are most commonly recommended for hearing loss, they can actually be equipped with a masking feature that also combats tinnitus. This feature provides a soft white noise to counteract the effects of tinnitus. And because tinnitus is often associated with untreated hearing loss, hearing aids can be two-fold in their treatment approach.

It is important to look for reputable sources of information to help you avoid common myths that are written about tinnitus so that you do not read false information. The more factual information you can read the more you can understand about tinnitus and how it relates to your specific situation.