4 FAQs About Tinnitus

You’re having a buzzing, ringing sound in your ears that nobody else can hear. This means you’re experiencing tinnitus. This condition is associated with several health conditions. If you are experiencing tinnitus, you should see your hearing specialists for a full and comprehensive examination. In some cases, a diagnosis will resolve the root causes of tinnitus. But do you want to know more about tinnitus and what can be done? 

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a medical term for abnormal or ringing sounds like hissing, buzzing or humming in the ear. These sounds might vary from one patient to another. The condition is ordinarily temporary, but the situation can become permanent or chronic. 

What are the major causes of tinnitus? 

This condition is not a disease but a symptom or sign that something is wrong with your auditory system. Something simple like earwax buildup can cause tinnitus. However, it can be as a result of several health conditions, like:

• Thyroid abnormalities
• Sinus and ear infections
• Brain tumor
• Neck or head injuries
• Ear bone changes

This is to mention just a few. Some medications may also cause tinnitus. There are about 200 known drugs that can cause this condition. 

People working in noisy environments such as construction workers, musicians and factories can develop tinnitus due to prolonged exposure to noise. The noise damages sensory hair cells in the cochlea, leading to noise-induced hearing loss. 

What do I do when I experience tinnitus? 

Tinnitus can be temporary or permanent. If you experience it, the first thing is to see your hearing health professional, who will check if there is wax buildup or canal blockage. Your hearing care provider will ask about your medical conditions, medications, and current health status. 

In some cases, your tinnitus might not go away. This can have a severe effect on your sleeping pattern, concentration and hearing. The hearing specialist will work with to find the right treatment. 

Are there treatments for tinnitus? 

As we have said earlier, tinnitus is not a disease, and there is no cure yet. However, some treatments may help you cope better with the condition. Most hearing care providers will offer a combination of treatments based on the severity of your situation. 

Some of the treatments include:

• Wearable sound machines: These electronic devices are designed to fit in the ear snuggly. They use pleasant and soft sounds to mask tinnitus. 
• Hearing aids: The gadgets are incredibly helpful as they relieve the strain of hearing. A hearing aid can be adjusted to control outside noise for you to hear. 
• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): The TRT process will help you cope with tinnitus on a subconscious and conscious level. The therapy requires close cooperation and monitoring with a hearing specialist. 
• Quit drinking/smoking: Drinking alcohol or smoking increases blood flow to your inner ear, causing tinnitus. Excessive consumption of alcohol for long periods may lead to permanent tinnitus. 

Tinnitus can be treated if you seek help fast. Do not ignore any signs or symptoms, and tinnitus should not control your life. Book an appointment today with a hearing health professional for early diagnosis.