What You Need to Know About Tinnitus

Tinnitus is more common than most people expect. In fact, in America alone, it is thought to affect about 50 million people. Although it primarily affects people 50 years and above, children and adolescents can also experience tinnitus. This article will give you the information you need to know about this condition, from causes to diagnosis and treatment. 

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus usually happens when a person perceives or hears a sound in the ear that does not come from any external source. This sound may be in the form of ringing, hissing, whistling or clicking. This condition can be persistent, temporary or even chronic. However, tinnitus is not a disease, although it may be a sign or symptom of an underlying problem.

Causes of tinnitus

The most common cause of tinnitus is damage to the tiny hair cells located in the inner ear’s cochlea. These hair cells cannot be repaired when they’re damaged. Although prolonged exposure to loud noise is a significant cause, old age may also result in natural loss of the tiny hair cells. Additionally, hearing loss may also coincide with tinnitus. 

Furthermore, medications like some pain killers, some diuretics and antibiotics can be ototoxic and cause damage to the inner parts of the ear, resulting in tinnitus. Other potential causes of tinnitus include ear infections, neck and head injuries, foreign objects touching the eardrum, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, traumatic brain and injuries. 

Symptoms of tinnitus

This condition’s main sign is a ringing, whistling, clicking or hissing sound in the ear without any source outside the body. This internal, non-auditory sound can occur in either ear or both ears at the same time. Aside from that, the sound can either be intermittent or continuous and high-pitched or low.

Beyond the sound types already mentioned, you may also hear chirping, screeching, buzzing, roaring, static, whooshing, pulsing or even musical sounds. These sounds may come with fluctuating volumes and are most noticeable in quiet places or at night. 

Treatment options

The first step to treatment is to determine the underlying cause. After diagnosis, your hearing health professional may recommend any of the following:

• Hearing aids with masking features 
• Sound machines
• Tinnitus retraining therapy
• Discontinuing or altering come medications
• Lifestyle modifications like quitting smoking, drinking or earwax removal. 

Also, dealing with other issues like stress, insomnia, anxiety and social isolation may improve your life quality, even with this condition. 

Diagnosis

Anytime you experience any of the symptoms, you should first visit a hearing health professional for the correct diagnosis to be done. This expert will conduct all necessary medical examinations to determine if there is an underlying cause. The tests may include hearing tests, blood tests and a complete assessment of your ear health, head, neck and even torso. 

Some risk factors 

Tinnitus also tends to be very common among people with certain risk factors. These include the following:

• Smoking
• Old age
• Hearing loss
• Gender; men tend to be more affected than women

Learn more today

To discuss potential tinnitus treatments with a qualified hearing professional, give New Hartford Hearing Center a call at (315) 801-2991.