That Ringing in Your Ears? It Could Be Tinnitus
Do you often hear ringing, buzzing, or humming in your ears for no reason? If so, you’re likely one of the many older adults experiencing tinnitus.
Do you often hear ringing, buzzing, or humming in your ears for no reason? If so, you’re likely one of the many older adults experiencing tinnitus.
Tinnitus itself is not a disease, but it can be a symptom of an underlying condition. Sometimes it’s an early warning sign of hearing loss, but tinnitus can also be caused by high blood pressure, allergies, poor circulation, or other health issues. Side effects from some medications might also cause tinnitus.
Seeing your doctor is an important first step if you’re experiencing any ringing, noises, or other changes in your hearing. Your doctor can arrange for the tests needed to see if there is an underlying health issue that should be treated. Depending on your condition, your doctor might refer you to a hearing care specialist.
An important thing to know about tinnitus is that people can experience it in different ways. Here are two different ways people experience tinnitus.
- It can come and go for you but be constant for someone else.
- It can be loud or soft, in one ear or both.
While there is no cure, many people have found ways to manage tinnitus and improve their quality of life.
Waking up with ringing in your ears?
Health experts say being well-rested helps in dealing with tinnitus. But sleep can be hard to come by in the quiet of the night when there are no sounds to mask the annoying ringing, buzzing or whooshing sounds in a person’s ears.
Here are three tips that may help improve your sleep when you have tinnitus:
1) Cue the chirping birds.
Many people with tinnitus find that having music, nature sounds, or white noise playing in the background masks the ringing and makes it easier to fall and stay asleep. The hum of a fan or air conditioner may also help with the ringing or buzzing in your ears.
2) Stick to a good sleep routine.
Create the best sleep environment possible for you to get your soundest sleep. To get the best sleep possible when tinnitus keeps you awake, try the following:
- ●Wear an eye mask or use blackout curtains to block out light.
- ●Avoid electronic devices one hour before bedtime.
- ●Relaxation exercises, such as meditation or yoga, before climbing into bed.
3) See a hearing specialist.
You might benefit from personalized advice and treatment. Most SCAN Health Plan members have access to hearing benefits and care through TruHearing and receive discount prices on hearing aids. Check your Medicare Advantage benefit materials or call SCAN Member Services for more details about what’s covered in your SCAN Medicare Advantage plan.
To schedule an appointment with a TruHearing specialist, call 1-844-255-7148 or visit the TruHearing website to get more information about Medicare Advantage hearing and hearing aid benefits.
Not sure if you have hearing loss? Take the free hearing screening by clicking the “Check My Hearing” button on truhearing.com/scan. You will need earphones to complete the online hearing screening.
If you have don’t have a Medicare Advantage plan, take a look at the benefits, comprehensive coverage, award-winning service, and more, offered by SCAN Health Plan.
