Tinnitus

bigstock-Young-Woman-Have-Headache-Migr-353 square

Tinnitus is generally referred to as "ringing in the ears." It's a disorder in which a person hears a sound without it coming from any external source. Tinnitus manifests itself in various ways, depending on the individual: a rush of air, a clicking, cracking, pop, whistling, or, in rare cases, music. Tinnitus can be short-term, lasting just a minute or two, or long-term, lasting days or weeks.

The condition affects about 10% of adults in the United States. It is even more prevalent in some groups - Tinnitus and hearing loss are reported by approximately 60% of veterans returning from conflict zones.

Types of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is divided into two types: subjective and objective.

The most common form of Tinnitus is subjective Tinnitus, which accounts for 99 percent of all cases. Only the person who is experiencing Tinnitus can hear the sound.

Objective Tinnitus is uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of all cases recorded. Both the person experiencing Tinnitus and a person seated nearby can detect the sound of objective Tinnitus.

bigstock-Seniors-Woman-Hearing-Loss--H-378 1000px

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

According to the Hearing Health Foundation, 90 percent of tinnitus cases are caused by a hearing loss.

The two conditions do share some similarities:

Damage to inner ear hair cells causes age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. Tinnitus can also be caused by damage to inner ear hair cells. When these hair cells are injured, researchers believe they transmit phantom signals to the brain, recorded as sound. Tinnitus is the name given to this sound.

Hearing loss and Tinnitus may be caused by problems with the ear bone and earwax blockage in the ear canal. Hearing loss and Tinnitus can be caused by various medicines, ranging from antibiotics to chemotherapy treatment medications, which harm inner ear hair cells.

Tinnitus Treatment

Tinnitus can be a frustrating illness, particularly for those who suffer from it regularly. From morning to night, those who suffer from the worst symptoms are plagued by a constant tinnitus tone. It has the potential to disrupt sleep habits as well as increase irritability, memory issues, concentration problems, and productivity. Tinnitus has also been linked to a rise in stress, anxiety, and depression.

Often, treating associated medical conditions and hearing loss will relieve symptoms. Tinnitus is often a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Finding and treating the underlying cause of Tinnitus can help to alleviate the condition. It's essential to have a hearing test before starting any treatment program.

Relaxation exercises: Tinnitus can cause tension, and stress can amplify and aggravate the tinnitus experience. You can effectively control your Tinnitus by learning to relax and manage your stress levels. Techniques might include meditation or breathing exercises.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a form of talking therapy that is gaining popularity. Individuals learn about the factors that aggravate Tinnitus, such as depressive feelings and worrying. They will then be taught successful tinnitus management techniques that will help them deal with Tinnitus in their everyday lives.

Hearing aids: When tinnitus and hearing loss occur together, a hearing aid with built-in tinnitus therapy may help. These devices enhance speech comprehension and mask tinnitus sounds by amplifying hearing, reducing background noise, and masking tinnitus sounds.

Tinnitus can be a debilitating condition. Luckily, you can manage your symptoms successfully and go back to living a fulfilling life with our help. If you are ready to seek tinnitus treatment, contact us today!

Start Your Journey to Better Hearing


Contact Us Today!