Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an annoying buzzing, whistling or ringing sound heard in the ear. According to the American Tinnitus Association, over 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus. In severe cases, it can cause depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Tinnitus isn’t a case of hearing loss, rather it creates a series of difficulties in understanding words and sounds because they get drowned out by these disruptive noises.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be caused by accumulated earwax, exposure to loud sounds, head injuries, and blood circulation problems. It’s also a known side effect of more than 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Can tinnitus be treated?

While there is no cure, there are several methods that can provide relief from tinnitus:

• Maskers – They look like hearing aids but produce sounds intended to divert the patient’s attention away from tinnitus.
• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) – TRT helps the brain learn to ignore tinnitus. Using a device similar to a masker that produces a very soft sound, the patient learns to not focus on their tinnitus. After a period of time, the patient is able to gradually curtail their use of the device.
• Drug Therapy – Some prescription drugs have been shown to provide relief from tinnitus.
• Other Options – Some other successful options in treating tinnitus include dental treatment of jawbone problems, stress reduction exercises, biofeedback, allergy control and alternative medicine. In many cases, hearing aids can help combat tinnitus by helping the wearer focus on sounds they want to hear.

What should I do if I think I have tinnitus?

Your physician can help you define what the problem is and what your options are. Sonus hearing health care professionals are also able to give you a comprehensive hearing evaluation.