Tinnitus

Tinnitus comes from the Latin word for ringing. Tinnitus is a sound in the ear that comes from inside your head such as a ringing, buzzing, whistling or chirping - without the presence of an external sound. Tinnitus is not a disease, it is a very common disorder. Research supports the theory that tinnitus arises in the brain and is due to altered neural pathways. It may be intermittent, constant or fluctuant, mild or severe, and may very from a low roaring sensation to a high pitched type of sound. There are a number of different kinds of tinnitus.

Approximately 50 million people in the United States are estimated to have tinnitus, and one in four people will experience it at least once in their lifetime.

Tinnitus may be caused by exposure to a loud noise, and often will subside soon after the incident. Other causes may include: allergies, ear infections, certain antibiotics and other drugs, middle ear disorders, underactive thyroid gland, or TMJ. The cause of tinnitus may be as simple as a build-up of earwax. Tinnitus may also be caused by an underlying medical condition such as a tumor growing on or near the auditory nerve. In some cases, treating the underlying condition will resolve the tinnitus.

The impact tinnitus has on a person's life can vary enormously. Some people can completely ignore their tinnitus and for many others, tinnitus is only a mild irritation. However, for the unfortunate few, it is totally debilitating. People with severe tinnitus often experience problems with depression, insomnia, or anxiety.

For most of you, your tinnitus can now be treated so it won't bother you any more. There are several effective management strategies that can provide relief. If tinnitus remains after treatment or is not caused by an underlying medical condition, there are non medical solutions available for chronic tinnitus sufferers. In approximately half of all cases, tinnitus is accompanied by hearing loss. With the onset of acute tinnitus (less than 3 months), especially when accompanied by hearing loss, a doctor should be consulted. In cases where hearing loss is also present, tinnitus often improves when a hearing instrument is properly fitted. Try various approaches. Don't just stick with one method. Is your tinnitus sensitive to caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, aspirin, high fat diet or excess sodium intake? Cutting out these may also eliminate or reduce the severity of your tinnitus. Learn all you can about tinnitus. Even if you do not eliminate your tinnitus, your actions will make your tinnitus easier to live with. The important thing is that you do something. This puts you in control where you are no longer a victim of your tinnitus.

For those individuals who suffer daily from chronic tinnitus and have been told "there is nothing you can do for your tinnitus, just learn to live with it", we offer tinnitus evaluations, consultations and some types of treatments. If we are unable to treat your tinnitus at our center, we will guide you in the proper direction to other treatment options. The first step for sudden, chronic or changing tinnitus is an audiologic and medical evaluation. If you have not had a comprehensive audiologic evaluation and medical work-up, contact your primary care physician or ask us for a referral.

For more information on tinnitus check out our Library for other tinnitus links.

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