What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common experience that affects 15-20% of Americans. Tinnitus is not a condition but a symptom of another issue like ear injury or hearing loss.
Virtually everyone will experience a sensation of ringing in their ears at one point or another. An example is the unusual sensation in your ears after a couple of hours at a loud concert or event. For many people, tinnitus increases as they grow older.
There are two main types of tinnitus: subjective and objective.
Subjective
Subjective tinnitus is the most common type. Only you can hear the unusual sounds, which are caused by problems with the structure of your ear, nerve damage, or issues with the communication between your brain and the nerves in your ears.
Objective
Objective tinnitus can be heard by your doctor during an ear exam. Although rare, this can occur due to a problem with your blood vessels, bone tissue, or muscles in your ear.
The first step in treating tinnitus is a thorough diagnostic exam.
What does tinnitus sound like?
Everyone has a unique experience of tinnitus, and you might even find that the sounds you hear differ from one bout to another. Some of the ways tinnitus is described include:
- Ringing
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Humming
- Buzzing
- Roaring
These sounds can vary from a high squeal to a low roar. They can be barely noticeable or seem so loud that you can’t concentrate.
What are some common causes of tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be caused by numerous factors. Some of the more common causes include:
- Exposure to loud noises, especially repeated over time
- Earwax blockage
- Changes in the bones of your middle ear
- Age and hearing loss
Less common causes include temporomandibular joint syndrome, head or neck injury, benign tumors in the ear, high blood pressure, or a condition called Meniere’s disease. Even certain medications can cause phantom ear noises.
What can be done to treat tinnitus?
If your tinnitus is caused by an underlying health condition, treating that issue is the best course of action. In some cases, simply changing your medications can help.
A professional ear cleaning is an effective treatment if your tinnitus is linked to earwax blockage. Some men and women come in for annual professional ear cleaning to prevent unusual sounds.
The right hearing aid is a powerful tool for managing tinnitus. If hearing loss is part of the problem, hearing aids can reduce unusual sounds and also improve your hearing function.
A wearable tinnitus retraining device is also an option. These medical devices work by masking the frequencies of your tinnitus, helping you focus your attention elsewhere.
To explore these and other treatments for tinnitus, call or schedule an appointment online today.
