Tinnitus, often referred to as a ringing or buzzing in the ears, affects roughly 20% of the American population and is a symptom of an underlying condition. It can be a major impediment to a person’s quality of life. Interestingly, researchers have found a connection between tinnitus and other conditions like migraines: around 45% of individuals with tinnitus also have migraines. This association is theorized to exist because they both impact the same areas of the brain and nervous system and share similar triggers.
While there is currently no cure for tinnitus, multiple strategies exist for managing the symptoms. Individuals with tinnitus are often also diagnosed with hearing loss. For these patients, turning to their hearing devices for assistance might be able to quiet the distraction and find relief. Other strategies include white noise therapy, mindfulness therapy, and acoustic neural stimulation.
New technologies are even being developed, such as a wearable wrist device that pairs with an app to train your brain through a process called bimodal stimulation.
