What Tinnitus is and How to Treat It

Tinnitus refers to a condition in which patients hear sounds when there are no outside sources. The sounds might have different qualities, including whistling, hissing, ringing, and buzzing, and might be perceived as loud or soft.

Normally, people experiencing tinnitus are the only ones who may hear sounds. It can happen either with or without a hearing loss and might be perceived in one or both ears.

Individuals of any age may suffer from this condition, but it’s not popular in kids. Everyone with the condition must have it examined by a tinnitus clinic with healthcare providers, like audiologists and otolaryngologists.

Forms of Tinnitus

While tinnitus is a popular condition, everyone’s tinnitus is different. There are various types of tinnitus, and your condition can likely fall within the following categories:

• Neurological tinnitus
• Objective tinnitus
• Subjective tinnitus
• Somatic tinnitus

Causes of Tinnitus

Prolonged exposure to any loud sound is a common cause of the condition. Up to 92% of individuals with the condition have a level of noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise can result in permanent damages to the sound-sensitive cells of the cochlea, which is a spiral-shaped organ.

Rock musicians, landscapers, carpenters, repair workers, and pilots are those whose job occupations place them at a greater risk. Apart from loud noise, other causes of the condition include:

• Unhealthy habits
• Age
• Common ailments

Symptoms

Although no external sounds are present, tinnitus is regarded as a ringing to an individual’s ears. Though the condition might also result in other forms of phantom noises in the ears.

Most individuals who have the condition suffer from subjective tinnitus. The noise may differ in pitch, ranging from low roars to high squeals, and you can have it in one of your ears or both.

In some situations, the sounds might be so loud that it affects your concentration ability. In rare situations, the condition happens as a whooshing sound or rhythmic pulsing, usually in time with the individual’s heartbeat.

Diagnosis and Tests

Your doctor can diagnose you with the condition depending on the symptoms you have. For your doctor to know the cause of your condition, the expert may want to know your medical history and do some tests on your ears, neck, and head. The most common tests are:

• Audiological exam
• Lab tests
• Imaging tests
• Movement

Tinnitus Treatment

Currently, there is no one treatment for the condition, which is suitable for every individual. Though research to get the best treatment is still underway.

If the underlying cause of your condition is determined, effective treatment may improve your tinnitus. For instance, getting rid of accumulated earwax can help.

Plus, your doctor can only treat underlying medical conditions, which cause tinnitus. If medications contribute to your condition, doctors may switch to prescriptions to restore your normal hearing. The expert may also suggest the following:

• Counseling
• Sound therapy
• TRT (tinnitus retraining therapy)
• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)

In Conclusion!

Living with the condition might be anxiety-provoking and frustrating, and it might negatively impact your capability to navigate family relationships, socialize, and work.

If you have this condition, consider medical care from a primary healthcare provider or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor to get the diagnosis and choose the best treatment plan.