Tinnitus, phantom ringing or clicking sounds that only you can hear, can be a very frustrating symptom to diagnose and treat. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. Many people who have tinnitus experience hearing ringing or clicking sounds, sometimes continuously and sometimes intermittently. Any person of any age can experience tinnitus. Usually there is some degree of hearing loss associated with tinnitus, but not always.
Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease, which makes it difficult to treat. In order to understand why someone may be dealing with tinnitus, the root cause of the sounds must be uncovered. The effects of tinnitus can be very serious. Many people cannot escape the sound they hear which can lead to sleep problems, depression, mood swings, relationship issues, and more.
There is no cure for tinnitus yet, however there are medications and different therapies that can help reduce the symptoms and help those with tinnitus deal with the effects.
Causes of Tinnitus
The exact cause of tinnitus is unknown, and may be different for each individual experiencing it. As mentioned, hearing loss can be a factor in causing tinnitus, but not always. There are some common denominators thought to be associated with tinnitus. These include:
Noise exposure: Experiencing ringing in the ears after attending a concert or sporting event is a common occurrence, however, if the ringing doesn’t stop after a day or two, tinnitus may be to blame. Many veterans also experience tinnitus from loud noises like gunfire, bomb blasts, and machinery they may have encountered during service.
Medications: A number of medications may cause or worsen tinnitus. The dosage of these medications seems to align with the severity of the tinnitus–the higher the dose, the worse the symptoms. Stopping the medication often eliminates the tinnitus. Medications such as NSAIDS, certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, antidepressants, and diuretics are thought to be linked to tinnitus.
Head or neck injury: Head or neck trauma can affect the nerves in the inner ear as well as damage nerves that carry sound signals to the brain, causing tinnitus.
Ear infection or blockage: A build-up of fluid (ear infection), or blockage caused by earwax, dirt, or other foreign materials can cause an obstruction and pressure in the inner ear leading to tinnitus.
There are also some less common chronic conditions that are thought to cause tinnitus. These include:
Meniere’s disease: Tinnitus can be a sign that someone has Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder caused by abnormal inner ear fluid pressure.
Jaw problems: The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull is close to the inner ear, therefore clenching the jaw, or grinding the teeth could damage the tissue in that area and lead to tinnitus.
Other chronic conditions: Diabetes, thyroid problems, migraines, anemia, and some autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis have been linked to tinnitus.
While any of these conditions mentioned could be the source or cause of tinnitus, some people develop it without any of them. It’s important to see a hearing professional, like an audiologist, if you are experiencing tinnitus.
Lessening the Impact of Tinnitus
Because the cause of tinnitus is different for each individual experiencing it, there is not a standard way to treat it. Symptoms of tinnitus can last months, and sometimes years, so it is important to try and lessen the impact of it. Some treatments recommended for tinnitus include:
Sound therapies: Sound therapy uses sound to mask the perceived ringing, clicking or buzzing in the ear, or to retrain the brain to become less sensitive to tinnitus.
Behavioral therapy: Tinnitus can have a huge impact on your way of life and how you feel every day. Behavioral therapy can help patients overcome the negativity and anxiety that tinnitus can cause.
Medications: While there is not one medication recommended for treating tinnitus, a doctor can prescribe an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication to help with mood and sleep issues.
Finding Help
In order to diagnose and treat tinnitus, an evaluation by a hearing professional, like an audiologist, should be performed. The team at Hearing Solution Centers is well-versed in helping patients with tinnitus. A comprehensive evaluation will be done to determine the cause of the tinnitus as well as treatment options.
Need answers about your tinnitus? Reach out to Hearing Solution Centers today!