What is Tinnitus?

If you hear a sound in your ear that cannot be explained by outside noise, you may be suffering from tinnitus. Many people live under the misconception that tinnitus is associated with having a loss of hearing. However, over 50 percent of people affected by this condition have no hearing loss. Tinnitus can be caused by many different things, and is associated with a broad variety of health issues.

The American Tinnitus Association states that over 50 million Americans are suffering from tinnitus in various severity. Two million people suffer from the disorder, often impacting their day to day activities to some extent. 16 million people require treatment for their tinnitus symptoms.

Do I Have Tinnitus?

If you have tinnitus, you will experience ringing, clicking, hissing, buzzing, or roaring in your ears. The sound may happen all the time, or it may come and go. In some cases, the sounds may affect your daily routine. Some people find it hard to function at their job as well as being able to sleep at night.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Many different things can cause tinnitus, and this can vary from person to person. Some people suffer from tinnitus due to stress, exposure to loud sounds, a build-up of wax, hearing loss, and medications.

When you have tinnitus, your brain’s auditory cortex is affected. Your brain is trying to compensate for issues with the nerve cells and neural circuits. The sound you hear is your brain trying to fix the cycle. Whatever causes the issue, it interrupts the sound from the ear to the brain. When the neural circuits do not receive stimulation, the brain hears the tinnitus noise.

Treatment is Crucial

When you have tinnitus, you will hear a unique sound. In many cases, the pitch and volume will change over time. It can get louder or occur more frequently. This can affect your life greatly. Your work, sleep, and focus can all be affected. You will need to get treatment as soon as possible to help to alleviate this issue. There are many different treatment options available for sufferers of this condition. These may include lifestyle changes, phone apps, hearing aids, or other therapies. A hearing test and consultation will help determine the best treatment plan for each patient.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are suffering from tinnitus, you will want to set up a consultation with one of our physicians. They will be able to take a look at your case history, as well as have our audiologists conduct formal testing to find options for you to get the relief that you want and need. Schedule a consultation with us today for relief from your tinnitus.