Tinnitus Management
Tinnitus is the perception of noises or ringing in the ears. It is considered to be a common problem with 1 in 5 people experiencing tinnitus. It can be described as hearing constant or intermittent ringing, roaring, buzzing, hissing, swooshing and many other sounds. Tinnitus is not a disease but is a symptom of an underlying condition.
Some common causes of tinnitus include:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Exposure to loud noise
- Earwax impaction/blockage
- Middle ear disorders (fluid , infection or issues with the middle ear bones)
- Inner ear disorders (Meniere’s disease
- TMJ Disorders
- Head or neck injuries
- Acoustic neuromas
- High blood pressure
- Medications (antibiotics, cancer medications, diuretics, antidepressants and pain relievers)
Tinnitus can be very difficult to evaluate. An audiological evaluation is usually performed to diagnose hearing loss that may be related to the tinnitus. It is important for the otolaryngologist to obtain certain information regarding the tinnitus such as the nature of when it began, a description of the sound, whether it is constant or intermittent, whether it is in one or both ears and how it is affecting the patient emotionally. Tinnitus can significantly impact the quality of a patient’s life.
Some common complications of tinnitus can include:
- Stress
- Difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Concentration or memory problems
Since hearing loss is a common cause of tinnitus. Our audiologists can evaluate your hearing and determine if you might benefit from hearing aids. If you have a hearing loss, a hearing aid may reduce the tinnitus while you are wearing it and sometimes cause it to go away temporarily. Tinnitus maskers which can now be combined within hearing aids can help to mask tinnitus with white noise, pink noise, nature sounds, or other ambient sounds. The audiologist and the patient will determine which masking sound is right for them. The hearing aid will emit the pleasant sound which can distract the patient from their tinnitus. This allows the patient to continue performing their daily tasks without the added stress from their tinnitus. This is not true for all users.
At this time, there is no specific cure for tinnitus. There are many other treatment options available. These options include: diet, physical activity, stress reduction, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, sound therapy, behavioral therapy and drug therapy. Our otolaryngologist and audiologists can help determine which treatment option is the right one for you.