Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a medical condition characterized by persistent ringing in one or both ears which can only be heard by the affected individual. It has also been described as whistling, hissing, buzzing, or pulsing in the ear. These sounds may come and go; however, most sufferers experience symptoms 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The effects range from slight annoyance to severe disruption of everyday life. The American Tinnitus Association estimates that over 50 million Americans suffer from Tinnitus.
Possible Causes:
- Hearing loss
- Ear infections
- Medications
- Excessive ear wax
- Allergies
- Sinus infections
- High blood pressure
- Nutritional deficiencies
- TMJ (temporomandibular jaw joint disorder)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Acoustic neuroma
- Cervical vertebrae problem
- Neurologic disorders others
Possible Treatments for Tinnitus
- Hearing aids
- Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (Auditory Habituation)
- Masking
- Counseling
- Biofeedback
- Medications
- Others – hypnosis, acupuncture, herbal and dietary supplements, etc.
Tinnitus Treatment
Due to the personal and unique nature of each Tinnitus condition, proper evaluation and specialized treatment is necessary. Although there isn't a single cure for Tinnitus, our doctors of audiology are experienced at providing individual solutions on a case-by-case basis. After completing a hearing test, your Doctor of Audiology may refer you to an otolaryngologist for further examination.
In many cases, the distressing combination of Tinnitus and hearing loss can be relieved with AGX hearing technology. While worn, a hearing system can restore ambient sounds and help fill Sound Voids™ to eliminate the effects of Tinnitus. An electronic device called a Masker may also be worn to distract from the ringing sensation. Maskers fit in the ear much like hearing aids and produce low-level sounds.
Your Hearing Assessment Doctor of Audiology will also evaluate other treatment options with you including Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). Tinnitus Retraining Therapy combines low-level, steady background sounds played through a device with intensive counseling. TRT is an involved process that can take 12-24 months to reduce the effects of Tinnitus.
Tinnitus Information Guide
It is estimated that 50 million people have tinnitus, which impacts negatively on their lives.
Currently there is no "cure" for tinnitus; however, many people are able to find relief through different methods (which are listed below). Certain methods work well for some people while other methods work well for others. As there is no PROVEN method for everyone, patients often times find that it is a trial and error approach to find relief.
Here are some items that can make tinnitus WORSE.
- Stress
- Some foods
- Aspirin intake
- Caffeine
- Excessive sodium intake
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Fatigue/Lack of Sleep
- Stress
- Hearing Loss
- Overexposure to noise
- Certain medications
Here are some items that may help make it BETTER.
- Hearing aids
- Relaxation
- Relaxation therapy
- Biofeedback
- Mediation
- Exercise
- Sound Therapy
- Wearing hearing protectors around high noise
- With the use of sound generating machines (ocean, wind, or waterfall sounds)
- Drug therapy – certain types of anti-depressants work for some people
- Patience with any therapy – it takes time
Some people have also found the following to be HELPFUL, but are not proven to decrease tinnitus. BEFORE taking any of the following, check with your primary DOCTOR.
- Ginko Biloba
- Vitamin B complex
- Vitamin C
For additional information about the causes of tinnitus, or your personal situation, please call us at (410) 583-7021.
