Understanding Tinnitus: What is that Ringing?

Do you ever hear a ringing or buzzing in your ears? You might have asked other people around you where the sound was coming from. Shockingly, they could have replied that they ‘don’t hear any noise at all! But to you, it’s clear as day. This is the first sign that you will get that you are suffering from a condition known as tinnitus. When you notice this issue, you may want to contact a hearing health professional. But before you do, here is some important information you need to know.

Who does it impact?

The good news is that you are not alone if you are suffering from tinnitus. Individuals all over the world experience this condition. It impacts roughly 50 million people! You might assume that hearing issues like this only affect the old. ‘You’ll probably be surprised to learn that tinnitus can occur at any age and at any time. ‘It’s quite common for teenagers to experience tinnitus due to one of the leading causes of the condition: noise exposure. So, if you hear noises that ‘aren’t there, regardless of what age you are, ‘it’s likely tinnitus.

What are the causes?

There are a wide variety of causes of this condition. For instance, ‘it’s possible that you have damaged your ears by exposing them to loud noises. Anything above eighty decibels puts you in dangers of damaging your ears and developing tinnitus. A buildup of earwax, a growth in your ear or an ear infection could also cause you to suffer from tinnitus. If you are suffering from any of these issues a hearing health care provider will immediately be able to deliver the assistance you need. Be aware that tinnitus can be a sign of a neurological problem. If this is the case, an MRI scan may be required after your ears have been tested.

Is it permanent?

Tinnitus can be permanent, but this is certainly not always the case. ‘It’s quite common for an individual to experience recurring issues with tinnitus first. This will happen long before it becomes a chronic condition. Furthermore, if a physical problem within the ear has caused the condition, then this can usually be rectified with a cleanout or surgery. That will depend on the individual and the cause of the issue.

Are treatment options available?

In most cases, tinnitus cannot be cured, but coping mechanisms can be put in place. One example of this would be tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT). Here, therapy is provided that is used to ensure the brain recognizes tinnitus as an issue that does not require conscious thought. Instead, ‘it’s possible for the individual to forget about the condition completely. Hearing aids may also prove to be useful, and you can speak to your hearing health professional about this possibility. These will typically have masking tech that will block out the sound for you and replace it with something more comforting.