Tinnitus 101: A Complete Guide

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing, buzzing, whooshing, or hissing sound in the ears, but what makes it unique is that these sounds aren’t caused by any external noise. Instead, they originate from within the auditory system itself. Over 50-million Americans experience tinnitus, and its causes can vary widely, ranging from exposure to loud noises and ear infections to underlying health conditions and certain medications. But what do you need to know about tinnitus?

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sounds in the ears or head that aren’t actually present in the environment. There are different types of tinnitus, with subjective tinnitus being the most common. This type can only be heard by the person experiencing it, and it often presents as a ringing, buzzing or hissing sound. On the other hand, objective tinnitus is less common and can be detected by a hearing healthcare professional during an examination, meaning that others can hear the sounds as well. Another form is pulsatile tinnitus, which is characterized by hearing a rhythmic sound that often matches the person’s heartbeat. This type can be caused by blood flow changes in the vessels near the ear. Understanding these different types of tinnitus can help individuals seek appropriate treatment and management options.

How Common Is It?

Tinnitus is quite common, affecting about 10% to 15% of people worldwide in various ways. This means that millions of individuals experience ringing or other high-pitched sounds in their ears. If you have tinnitus, it’s important to know that you are not alone in dealing with these symptoms. Many others share similar experiences, which can help in understanding and managing the symptoms together.

Managing Tinnitus

How can tinnitus be managed and treated? There are several effective approaches to consider. Often, making some lifestyle or behavioral changes can be a good starting point. For example, removing excess earwax, improving your diet and quitting smoking may help reduce tinnitus symptoms. These simple adjustments can make a significant difference for many individuals

Beyond that, there are a range of therapies and solutions to help manage your tinnitus. That can include having a hearing aid fitted – a hearing aid has a masking effect, whereby the environmental sounds are amplified so that the ringing or clicking sounds are masked. Alternatively, there are sound therapies which can help a great deal too, including tinnitus retraining therapy. Sometimes it can be that there is a psychological component to tinnitus, so counseling can help too.

If you have tinnitus and you are starting to feel that you would like some help with it, be sure to get in touch with a hearing health professional as soon as possible. They will be able to help you reduce your symptoms and to live a full life, and they’ll be able to suggest a range of possible ways to alleviate them right away too. If you want to learn more about tinnitus schedule an appointment with a hearing health professional.