Do you or someone you know hear ringing, whistling, hissing, buzzing, or pulsing sounds?
If so, you may be suffering from tinnitus, a medical condition characterized by persistent ringing in one or both ears which can only be heard by the affected person. While the sounds may come and go, many sufferers experience symptoms 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the effect ranging from slight annoyance to severe disruption of everyday life.
According to the American Tinnitus Association (www.ata.org) this fairly common ailment affects over 50 million Americans; that’s 1 out of every 6 of us!
Before we look at the causes and treatment of this disease, let’s set the record straight on its pronunciation: both “tin-NIGHT-us” and “TIN-it-us” are correct.
Causes
Tinnitus can be caused by any number of things, including:
● Noise induced hearing loss and nerve damage
● A build-up of earwax
● Some prescription and over-the-counter medications
● Ear infection or eardrum rupture
● Head and neck trauma
● Cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension
Tinnitus Treatment
Due to the unique nature of each case of Tinnitus, proper evaluation by a trained specialist is necessary. As a Doctor of Audiology, my first step in helping patients who suspect they are suffering from Tinnitus is to perform a comprehensive hearing test.
In many cases this distressing ailment can be relieved with the use of hearing aids, which can restore ambient sounds and help with the sound clarity difficulties that tinnitus sufferers often experience. Another electronic device, called a Tinnitus Masker which produces low level sounds, can be worn in the ear to diminish the ringing sensation.
The important thing to remember about Tinnitus is that it is up to you to make the first step: seek professional help. Don’t put up with this annoying and, in some cases, debilitating ailment any longer.
