Tinnitus (“TIN-a-tus” or “Tin-EYE-tus”) is commonly described as a ringing, buzzing, whooshing or hissing sensation in your ears, but the sound isn’t caused by an external noise. More than 50 million Americans experience tinnitus for a number of different reasons. To determine how to best treat tinnitus, it’s important to understand its symptoms and causes.
Symptoms of tinnitus
There are a number of different symptoms for tinnitus, but the most common include hearing the following sounds:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Whooshing
- Hissing
- Clicking
These sounds are heard only by the person experiencing the tinnitus, but can sometimes be detected by an audiologist. These sounds can be heard constantly or intermittently. Some people have problems sleeping when they have tinnitus because they feel as though their brain never “shuts off.”
Causes of tinnitus
There are several factors that can cause tinnitus, including the following:
- Exposure to loud noise
- Medication
- Hearing loss
- Ear infection
- Trauma to the ear
- Earwax buildup
- Meniere’s disease
- Vascular disorders
Tinnitus may be caused by one or more of these conditions and some can be resolved easily if the cause is temporary, such as an infection or a buildup of earwax.
Tinnitus Management
Depending on the cause of your tinnitus, there are a number of different treatment methods available to help you find relief. Your audiologist will assess the severity of your tinnitus, symptoms, how it impedes your daily life and possible causes and recommend one of the following solutions.
- Address the problem: If your tinnitus is due to earwax build up, medication or infection, they’ll recommend the proper course to resolve the issue. This may include removing the earwax, switching medications or antibiotics. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended to help treat the varying emotions you may experience with tinnitus, from anxiety to anger.
- Hearing aids: Relief can be found through modern hearing aids that improve your overall hearing and are equipped with masking features that can play soothing background sounds when you need them most. We’ll work with you to find the right combination of treatments that best suits your specific needs and lifestyle.
- White noise machines: If your tinnitus isn’t as severe or only experienced at night time, a white noise machine may be ideal for helping you find relief. White noise machines produce a steady sound to help mask the tinnitus noises you hear.
It’s important to note, while there is currently no cure for tinnitus, effective management options are available. Tinnitus is a symptom rather than a disease itself, and its causes can vary from person to person. Many patients experience significant relief through tinnitus management such as hearing aids, sound therapy, and other management options. A comprehensive audiological evaluation can help identify contributing factors, schedule an appointment today.