Are you noticing an annoying ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in your ears? If so, you’re likely experiencing tinnitus. And you’re not alone. Tinnitus is a very common condition that impacts an estimated 10 percent of Americans annually for at least five minutes. Five minutes of ringing is maddening!
Tinnitus can impact one or both ears at a time. In many cases, it’s only a temporary annoyance. If you’ve ever been to a loud concert or fireworks show and noticed a ringing in your ears that resolved itself shortly after, you’ve likely experienced temporary tinnitus. For others, tinnitus is a permanent condition that impacts their daily lives.
So, what causes tinnitus? And what is the best way to treat it? Let’s dive in.
What Causes Tinnitus?
There are a few known causes of tinnitus, but noise exposure is one of the most common. Exposure to sudden noises like firearms or explosions can cause tinnitus. Loud noise exposure over time, such as in the workplace, can also be a contributing factor.
Certain medications and conditions like otosclerosis (gradual hearing loss due to fused bones in the ears) or Meniere’s disease (a disorder that causes severe vertigo in one ear) can be predecessors to tinnitus. Earwax buildup can also cause tinnitus that is typically resolved after the blockage is cleared. This condition has also been associated with ear infections, aging, stress, high blood pressure, and sensory nerve disorders.
If you’re experiencing a persistent ringing in your ears, you might have an existing hearing loss at a certain frequency. When you can’t hear a certain frequency or pitch, your brain compensates for the lack of sound and creates its own internal noise—a ringing or buzzing sound.
You can take steps to prevent tinnitus. Always make sure the volume of your headphones and electronic devices is at a safe level, and wear hearing protection when exposed to loud noises. If you work in a loud environment like construction or an airport runway, custom hearing protection is a worthwhile investment in your health.
Treatment for Tinnitus
While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are several ways that we can help you manage it. Some effective strategies for managing tinnitus symptoms are:
Hearing aids
Up to 90 percent of tinnitus cases occur with an already existing hearing loss problem, so investing in professional hearing care will help alleviate tinnitus symptoms and other hearing loss challenges you may be facing. When your tinnitus is accompanied by a hearing loss, hearing aids can be a great help.
Sound masking
Sound masking devices help to decrease your awareness of tinnitus noises. Many hearing aids are equipped with sound masking technology. These devices emit a “white noise” designed to distract you from the tinnitus noises.
Tinnitus-retraining therapy (TRT)
TRT is a holistic approach to treating the symptoms of tinnitus. It involves training your brain to perceive the sounds of tinnitus in a different way. TRT includes counseling and coping tools to help you deal with the emotional side effects of tinnitus, like anger and depression.
If you’re experiencing tinnitus symptoms, it’s important to get checked out as soon as you can.
Tinnitus Treatment at Woodard Hearing Centers
Our team of hearing care professionals at Woodard Hearing Centers can help you manage your tinnitus symptoms with professional hearing healthcare.
Your first step is to undergo a professional evaluation. Counseling with an experienced Woodard Hearing Center healthcare professional trained in managing tinnitus will help you regain your quality of life.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of tinnitus or hearing loss, don’t delay seeking treatment. Click here to schedule a consultation with one of Woodard’s TPA (Tinnitus Practitioner’s Association)-certified Doctors of Audiology.
You can also get in touch with us by calling our offices at 1-800-233-4327.
