Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffIn many cases, tinnitus is the result of something that can't be prevented. However, some precautions can help prevent certain kinds of tinnitus.
- Use hearing protection. Over time, exposure to loud noise can damage the nerves in the ears, causing hearing loss and tinnitus. If you use chain saws, are a musician, work in an industry that uses loud machinery or use firearms (especially pistols or shotguns), always wear over-the-ear hearing protection.
- Turn down the volume. Long-term exposure to amplified music with no ear protection or listening to music at very high volume though headphones can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Take care of your cardiovascular health. Regular exercise, eating right and taking other steps to keep your blood vessels healthy can help prevent tinnitus linked to blood vessel disorders.
References
- About tinnitus. American Tinnitus Association. http://www.ata.org/for-patients/about-tinnitus. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- Dinces EA. Pathogenesis and diagnosis of tinnitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 6, 2010.
- Dinces EA. Treatment of tinnitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 6, 2010.
- Holmes S, et al. Review paper: More than ringing in the ears — A review of tinnitus and its psychosocial impact. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2009;18:2927.

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