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tinnitus

diseases

Tinnitus: definition, causes and course of disease

Serious symptoms of tinnitus are ringing, whistling or wheezing in the ear. Depending on its intensity, tinnitus can severely affect quality of life, interfere with concentration, or lead to depression. Tinnitus can be caused by middle ear infections, tympanic membrane damage and also cervical blockages, a skewed jaw, side effects of medications (eg antibiotics or antidepressants), loud music or prolonged stress.

Treatment of tinnitus

Severe acute tinnitus is treated in the same way as an acute hearing loss: The ENT specialist prescribes vasodilator drugs or dehydrating glucocorticoids. A short therapy with cortisone may also help to reduce inflammation or swelling in the inner ear. If stress is the cause of tinnitus, patients should take time out, recognize their stressors, and learn to relax. This is usually only with competent advice or therapy. Tinnitus retraining therapy helps with chronic tinnitus. In doing so, people try to make life bearable with the sound of ears by means of coping strategies and relaxation techniques. In tinnitus control therapy, the patient wears a specially adapted tinnitus device (tinnitus control instrument), which plays a quiet sound. When worn it overlays the annoying tinnitus - the affected person no longer perceives it and feels immediate relief.

Tinnitus: prevention and self-help

Since stress can be the cause of tinnitus, one should make sure to incorporate moments of relaxation into everyday life again and again. Walking in nature, reading or listening to quiet music can help to relax. Even autogenic training, meditation or yoga can prevent tinnitus, as you learn so holistically to free yourself from inner stress. If this is not enough, a talk therapy is a helpful solution to reduce anxiety and inner stress.

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