A Guide to Tinnitus

One of the conditions that audiologists help with on a regular basis is tinnitus. Tinnitus is the term that describes any ringing, buzzing or other noises that an individual hears in their own ears or head without any discernible outside source. Tinnitus is a symptom rather than a condition in and of itself and, as such, a person’s experience of it can be vastly different from another’s. However, your audiologist can help you address tinnitus and learn a lot more about it.

How does tinnitus work?

The mechanisms behind tinnitus are not fully known; in part because the experience of the symptom can differ. It might sound like a buzzing to some, like a ringing bell to others or even like an individual’s heartbeat. Similarly, it can be persistent for some but happen more occasionally for others. Tinnitus is a symptom that can stay with you for years, but others will find that it can go away, either on its own or because an underlying cause was treated.

The causes of tinnitus

The specific causes of tinnitus in the individual case can be difficult to find. However, there are several conditions that we know contribute to it. Hearing loss, especially as a result of noise exposure, is a common contributing factor.

So, too, is trauma to the head or the ears, earwax blockages and some medications. There have also been ties between emotional health concerns like stress and tinnitus. There is a range of steps that your audiologist will take to try discovering the causes, such as a hearing exam.

Long-term effects of living with tinnitus

As a chronic hearing condition, tinnitus can have a profound effect on the quality of life of an individual without treatment. This can include difficulty sleeping at night due to the fact that it tends to become more audible at night. Tinnitus can also make communication more difficult, which can lead to isolation. In general, tinnitus is associated with a greater degree of stress and anxiety. However, there are treatments to help address both the tinnitus itself and the greater impacts it can have on the individual’s life.

What are the treatments for tinnitus?

Although tinnitus may sound like a considerable challenge, there is a range of tinnitus treatment options available from your audiologist that can help address it. These include the following:

• The use of hearing aids with masking features to help block out the tinnitus.
• The use of white noise machines, especially at night, to help make it less noticeable.
• Tinnitus retraining therapy to help you habituate to the sound, so it becomes less prevalent.
• Lifestyle medications like medication alterations, quitting smoking, drinking and earwax removals.

Although tinnitus can escape easy classification, explanation or diagnosis, there is still plenty that an audiologist can help you with when addressing it. Get in touch today if you are experiencing tinnitus. The sooner you start exploring the variety of treatments available, the sooner you can find what works best for you.