Do you ever experience a ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears that people near you can’t hear? You may be experiencing tinnitus. Before talking about what helps tinnitus go away, let’s have an overview of what tinnitus is.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external noise is present and it can be caused by a variety of factors. The extent of the symptoms of this condition ranges from mildly tolerable to extremely disturbing.
If you belong to a group of individuals who are trying to look for answers on what could help tinnitus go away, this blog post is for you.
Tinnitus Treatments
To date, there is no exact cure yet for tinnitus. There are various methods and strategies to address the condition, but, just like any other medical concern, it has no one-size-fits-all tinnitus treatment.
The best approach depends on the underlying cause of your tinnitus and how bothersome your symptoms are.
Common tinnitus treatments include:
- Sound therapy: This involves using sound to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. This can be done with a sound machine, hearing aids for tinnitus, white noise app, or tinnitus retraining therapy.
- Counseling: This can help you learn how to cope with the tinnitus noise and make it less bothersome.
- Tinnitus maskers: These are devices that generate low-level white noise that can help mask the tinnitus noise.
- Medications: There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat tinnitus, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and pain relievers.
Can tinnitus be cured by surgery?
Technically, yes. It may be possible to cure tinnitus through surgery given that tinnitus is caused or paired with acoustic neuroma. By removing the acoustic neuroma through surgery, tinnitus may be cured or resolved. In a study conducted in 1981 with more than 400 participants, 45% experienced improved tinnitus relief with the surgical removal of acoustic neuroma.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
The main symptom of tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external noise is present. Other symptoms may also be present such as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Causes of tinnitus
There are many potential causes of tinnitus, including:
- Exposure to loud noise: This is the most common cause of tinnitus. Repeated exposure to loud noise can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear and lead to tinnitus.
- Age-related hearing loss: As we age, it’s not uncommon for our hearing to start to decline. This can cause tinnitus.
- Earwax buildup: Too much earwax can block the ear canal and lead to tinnitus.
- Ear bone changes: The stiffening of the bones in the middle ear (otosclerosis) can cause tinnitus.
- Other health conditions: There are a variety of other health conditions that can cause tinnitus, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid problems.
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
If you have tinnitus, you may also have hearing loss. This is because the same underlying causes of tinnitus can also cause hearing loss. The most common cause of both tinnitus and hearing loss is exposure to loud noise. If you think you may have both tinnitus and hearing loss, it’s important to see an audiologist.
Tinnitus is caused by damage to the auditory system, with approximately 90% of patients having hearing loss as well. Many individuals may not even be aware that they have both problems. Tinnitus generally follows the same pattern as your hearing loss. Your tinnitus might be a high-pitched ringing or hissing if you have difficulty hearing.
Audiologists and Hearing Aids for Tinnitus in New Albany, IN
See an audiologist if you’re experiencing tinnitus regularly or constantly. If your tinnitus is getting worse or your tinnitus is bothering you – for example, it’s affecting your sleep or concentration or is making you feel anxious and depressed, you need to see a doctor right away.
Audiologists can perform a hearing test to see if you have tinnitus. help identify the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation!