How To Get Relief From Tinnitus
-
Do you hear a ringing, roaring, clicking or hissing sound in your ears?
-
Do you hear this often or all the time?
-
Does the sound bother you a lot?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have tinnitus (tin-NY-tus). Tinnitus causes a persistent ringing, rushing or buzzing in the ears. It won’t cause deafness, but it may affect your daily activities.
Tinnitus management can quiet the noise in your ears and may be right for you. Our audiologists can recommend the best treatment for you. Our goal is to work with you to relieve this condition.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is common. Roughly 25 million Americans experience tinnitus, a symptom associated with many forms of hearing or other health problems. Tinnitus is typically caused by:
- Hearing Loss: Most people with tinnitus also have some kind of hearing loss.
- Loud Noise: Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Continued exposure can make the tinnitus and hearing loss worse.
- Medication: More than 200 medicines, including aspirin, can cause tinnitus. If you have tinnitus and take medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine could be the cause.
- Other potential causes: Allergies, tumors, and problems in the heart and blood vessels, jaw and neck can cause tinnitus.
Tinnitus management works! There’s no reason to endure this annoying sound effect.
Don't Wait! Early treatment
is the most effective treatment.
What Should I Do If I Have Tinnitus?
The first step is to call us and schedule a visit with one of our audiologists. A careful history and audiometric testing will determine the most likely causes and best treatment for your tinnitus.
There may be other medical issues behind the tinnitus. It’s important to rule out anything else that may affect your overall health. You may be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor to complete the diagnosis.
How To Avoid Making Your Tinnitus Worse
Avoid anything that can increase the ringing in your ears, such as smoking, alcohol and loud noise. If you’re a construction worker, an airport worker, a hunter or if you’re regularly exposed to loud noise at home or at work, wear ear plugs or special earmuffs to protect your hearing.
If it’s hard for you to hear over your tinnitus, face your friends and family when they talk. Seeing their expressions may help you understand them better. Ask people to speak louder but not shout. Also, tell them they don’t have to talk slowly, just more clearly.
Which Type Of Tinnitus Treatment To Use
A careful review of your health history along with audiometric testing will identify which of the following is the right treatment option:
- Hearing Aids: Hearing aids can enhance hearing and mask or cover up the tinnitus. For most patients with tinnitus, they can provide partial or complete relief.
- Maskers: These small electronic devices, which look like hearing aids, are tuned to generate sound that masks or covers up the tinnitus.
- Drug Therapy: Certain medicines may provide some relief from tinnitus. Nutritional supplements may also provide additional relief.
- Allergy Treatment: Allergies can exacerbate tinnitus. If you test positive for allergies, treatment can reduce the ringing in your ears and give you a big boost in energy.
What’s the right treatment for
your type of hearing loss?
