Only a thorough exam can pinpoint the exact cause of persistent tinnitus. There are also a variety of commercially available devices that people can use to mask tinnitus. These devices, which emit a static-like sound, are particularly helpful at night, when lack of distracting background noise accentuates ringing, making sleep difficult. A hearing aid can provide a similar distraction by minimizing the hearing loss that often accompanies tinnitus. For more information on tinnitus, contact Nolin with the USC Head and Neck Group at 342-5795.
Spring is an excellent time to do it.
The items that should be discarded are prescription drugs that are past their expiration dates, medications that have discolored or changed in appearance and drugs that are no longer routinely needed, Jaresko said. The chemicals in medications change with age, making them less effective. Occasionally, taking drugs after the expiration dates can cause serious side effects, such as liver toxicity. Eye drops, such as Visine, expire more rapidly than most other medications and should be discarded within three months to prevent eye infections caused by harmful bacteria that accumulate in the solutions. It is best to return outdated medications to the pharmacy for disposal.