Tinnitus is a situation in which people hear ringing, buzzing, or other noises in their ears. For seniors, this can be very upsetting and hard to understand. Even though there may not be a cure for tinnitus, there are tips and tricks that can help seniors deal with their symptoms and make their lives better. Continue reading to learn how the senior home care team and loved ones can help.
Understanding Tinnitus
Understanding what tinnitus is and how to treat it is important before talking about how to help seniors who have it. As mentioned, tinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing, or hissing in one or both ears. It can be caused by many things, such as hearing loss that comes with getting older, being around loud noises, underlying health problems, or medicines.
Working With a Healthcare Professional
Getting professional help is the first and most important thing that can be done to help seniors deal with tinnitus. A medical professional can look at their condition, figure out what might be causing it, and suggest the best way to treat it. Possible options are detailed below.
- Hearing Aids: For seniors, tinnitus is closely linked to hearing loss that comes with getting older. Using hearing aids can make it easier for them to hear, which can make the ringing less noticeable. Plus, many new hearing aids have tinnitus management features built in. These features, like white noise or nature sounds, can help hide the tinnitus and make it less obvious. However, seniors will need to use their hearing aids consistently, which can be encouraged by the senior home care team.
- Sound Therapy: As part of sound therapy, outside sounds are used to block out or distract from the sounds of tinnitus. Seniors can make their surroundings sound better by using white noise machines, smartphone apps, or tabletop fountains, among other things. When they’re trying to sleep or focus, these sounds can really help.
- Methods for Relaxation: It’s important for seniors to include relaxation techniques in their daily lives because stress and worry can make tinnitus worse. To help them feel less stressed and more relaxed, the senior home care team can suggest they try things like deep breathing, yoga, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Some changes to a senior’s diet and way of life may help them deal with tinnitus. Cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, eating better, and exercising regularly can all help their health and maybe even ease the symptoms of tinnitus.
Tinnitus Apps and Other Support
Smartphone apps and online tools exist that can help seniors deal with tinnitus, along with assistance from loved ones, the senior home care team, and the tips above. While not every suggestion will work in every situation, with support, seniors can find the ones that work best for them.
For seniors, tinnitus can be a problem, but there are things they can do to make it less of a problem in their daily lives. Seniors should be encouraged to talk to medical professionals, assess their options, and talk with their support team to determine an efficient plan.
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/tips-to-manage-tinnitus
https://www.parentgiving.com/blogs/general-condition-help/hearing-problems-in-seniors-tinnitus
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tinnitus
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Cleburne, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today. Call (817) 631-7710.
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high quality home care in Bosque County, Hill County, Navarro County, Henderson County, Erath County, Somervell County, Johnson County, Ellis County, Parker County, Tarrant County, Dallas County, Kaufman County, Rains County, Hood County, VanZandt County, and Rockwall County in Texas.
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