Do you or someone you know experience a constant or intermittent ringing in the ears? Here’s what it means.
Most likely, there’s been some point in your life when a certain high or low-pitched noise turned on in your ear and disappeared after a minute or two. It comes and goes, and what its cause was you can only suppose. In the US, close to four out of ten people suffer from this strange, irritating noise for about 80% of every day. For some, the ringing is so intense and constant that they must take certain measures to reduce the severity. This ringing, whistling noise is called Tinnitus.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus produces an illusion of sound internal to the ear. It is not a hallucination of the mind; rather, it is the brain’s interpretation of what sounds are coming through. Sounds can range from buzzing, whistling, shrieking, and humming to even sounds of music. Tinnitus can originate at any point of the auditory pathway, from the middle to inner ear to the brain’s auditory cortex. Most often, it is due to damaged hairs in the cochlea. This is known as “sensorineural.”
Tinnitus is typically linked with hearing loss, but those with tinnitus do not need to fear that they are in danger of going deaf. It is not a dangerous condition by any means, but it can be annoying.
Causes of Tinnitus
The causes of Tinnitus vary. It usually occurs due to exposure to loud noise or a blow to the head. Causes also include impacted earwax, medications, middle ear problems, and aging. It can also be a symptom of Meniere’s disease.
Treatment of Tinnitus
No cure for Tinnitus exists, but there are various treatments to help lessen and alleviate you from it. Treatment can begin at the basic level of removing ear wax, evaluating habits such as sleeping, eating, activity, and living in noisy conditions. Your audiologist can test if tense jaw or neck muscles are part of the problem, and prescribe physical therapy to loosen the muscles. Reducing stress can also help to deal with Tinnitus better, as well as white noise or hearing aids for those with hearing loss.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
Come in for a walk-in appointment on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, or contact us to schedule an appointment by calling 410-698-6594 or visiting our contact page. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and LinkedIn for more blog posts, news, and updates!