Table of Content
- What is Tinnitus?
- What Causes Tinnitus?
- How Do You Diagnose Tinnitus?
- Types of Tinnitus Identified During Diagnosis
- What Is The Cure For Tinnitus?
- Sound Oasis White Noise Machine
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common affliction that affects as many as 50 million Americans. The condition presents as an internal noise within your ear or head with no external source. For a lot of people, it is usually a ringing sound, but tinnitus can also present as a buzzing or whooshing.
The severity of it can vary greatly and may come from one ear or both. For some people, the sounds they hear may be constant, while for others, the sounds may come and go. Luckily, for most, it is not a dangerous condition and can be managed through a variety of methods including things such as acupuncture and sound therapy.
Fun fact: Some people have the ability to hear their heartbeat inside their ears — this phenomenon is called pulsatile tinnitus.
What Causes Tinnitus?
As we mentioned previously, there are varying degrees of tinnitus, and almost everyone has experienced it for a small period of time after being exposed to extremely loud noise such as at a concert or in a construction zone.
Some medications can cause tinnitus; however, most people will find that the condition goes away once the drug is discontinued. Tinnitus that lasts continuously for more than six months is considered “chronic tinnitus”. There are several underlying conditions that may cause chronic tinnitus, such as:
- Hearing Loss:- Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is one of the most common causes. As hearing declines, the brain may compensate by creating phantom sounds.
- Exposure to Loud Noise:- Prolonged exposure to loud environments concerts, machinery, firearms can damage inner ear hair cells, leading to tinnitus.
- Earwax Blockage:- Excess earwax can irritate the eardrum and affect hearing, triggering tinnitus.
- Ear or Sinus Infections:- Inflammation or fluid buildup may temporarily affect hearing and cause ringing.
- Medications:- Some medications (such as high doses of aspirin, certain antibiotics, or chemotherapy drugs) can cause or worsen tinnitus.
How Do You Diagnose Tinnitus?
While you may suspect that you suffer from tinnitus due to the sounds you experience, a diagnosis must be made by a medical provider. We recommend a visit to your physician as early as possible to avoid any further complications from a delayed diagnosis.
Your provider should complete a physical exam and audio logical evaluation, as well as conduct a complete evaluation of your history where they will consider your exposure to noise, lifestyle as well as any medications you may be taking.
Based on your diagnosis and the cause of your condition, a doctor will attempt to treat any underlying medical conditions that may be causing you to experience tinnitus. If tinnitus is persistent or bothersome, don’t ignore it. A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional can guide you toward the right management plan and help improve your quality of life.
Types of Tinnitus Identified During Diagnosis
During evaluation, doctors may classify tinnitus as:
Subjective Tinnitus:
- Only the patient can hear it
- It’s Most common type
- Often linked to hearing loss
Objective Tinnitus:
- Rare
- Doctor can hear it during examination
- Usually caused by blood vessel or muscle issues
What Is The Cure and How to Manage Tinnitus?
Unfortunately for those who suffer from severe or chronic tinnitus, there are no known cure – there are, however, a variety of treatments available to help manage and minimize the condition’s impact. Some patients believe that natural approaches and management such as acupuncture and supplements may help.
According to Harvard Health, the most effective approaches are behavioral strategies and sound-generating devices, often used in combination. Treatment approaches include:
- Treat the Underlying Cause:- If tinnitus is due to earwax buildup, infection, or medication side effects, addressing the root issue may resolve or reduce symptoms.
- Sound Therapy:- Using background noise can help mask tinnitus sounds. Options include: 1) White noise machines 2) Soft music 3) Nature sounds 4) Fans or humidifiers
- Hearing Aids:- If tinnitus is linked to hearing loss, hearing aids can improve external sound input, which may reduce the brain’s focus on internal noise.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):- CBT doesn’t eliminate tinnitus, but it helps change emotional reactions to it. Many people find it significantly reduces distress.
- Stress Management:- Since stress can worsen tinnitus, relaxation techniques can help like: 1) Deep breathing exercises 2) Meditation 3) Yoga 4) Regular physical activity
While nothing is ever guaranteed, you can attempt to take preventative measures to lessen your risk of tinnitus. Start by protecting your ears from loud noises and keep a watchful eye on the volume levels of your phone, radio, or television. Wear ear protection when attending concerts or when exposed to loud noises (higher than 85 decibels)
Can I Prevent Tinnitus?
You should also avoid medications that may cause your tinnitus symptoms to occur and schedule regular hearing tests with your doctor to promptly detect any problems with the structure of your inner and middle ear.
Keep your stress levels low as studies suggest that stress can make this problem more prominent. Find your joy by doing some mindful meditation, going for a walk, or listening to your favorite sounds.
Finally…
Sound Oasis has the industry’s widest selection of products, sounds, and APPs to help manage this.
Visit our shop to explore and learn more.