Tinnitus-Managing the Ringing in Your Ears
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external noise is present. According to the American Tinnitus Association, roughly 15% of all people in the U.S. have tinnitus. This increases to 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65.
To get relief from your tinnitus, make an appointment with us; we will go through your medical history, do a visual inspection of your ear canal, and a full comprehensive hearing evaluation. The first step in determining a tinnitus treatment plan is identifying potential causes and triggers that worsen the tinnitus.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring sounds in the ears. These sounds can be constant or intermittent, and their volume can vary.
While tinnitus doesn’t typically signal a serious underlying health condition, it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. It can lead to:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety and depression
- Social isolation
- Irritability
Causes
Loud noise is often the biggest cause of tinnitus. Things like loud concerts, construction noise, or even using headphones too loud can damage your hearing and lead to that ringing sound. This link between tinnitus and loud noise is especially evident among military veterans who have been exposed to gunfire, machinery noise, and explosions.
While loud noise is a major factor, other things can also trigger tinnitus, like:
- Ear infections
- Certain medications, including antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, NSAIDs, and some antidepressants
- Head injuries that damage the auditory system or affect nerves and brain areas involved in sound processing
- Some health conditions such as diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders, anemia, lupus, and multiple sclerosis
Relief
Despite the social media pop-up ads, there is no universally agreed-upon cure for tinnitus. While research is ongoing, current treatments focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
The approach often involves a combination of:
- Hearing aids: Amplifying sounds can help mask tinnitus.
- Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): This therapy helps the brain adjust to the tinnitus.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This can help manage stress and anxiety related to tinnitus.
- Medications: In some cases, medications may be used to address underlying conditions or symptoms.