Silence is a wished for luxury for tinnitus sufferers.
This video gives you an idea of what it sounds like and how you can prevent it:
One in five Americans suffer from “ringing in their ears” or tinnitus. Tinnitus isn’t usually a sign of a serious ongoing medical condition. The sounds patients perceive may just be their body at work.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears that only the patient can hear since no external sound is present. It is the most commonly referred otological problem.
The sound can be intermittent or constant and patients often describe it as a ringing in their ears. The perceived volume can range from low to painfully loud. Some people also hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping and clicking.
The exact cause of tinnitus isn’t known but likely sources can trigger or worsen the condition. These include loud noises, excessive ear wax in the ear canal, certain medications, ear or sinus infections, jaw misalignment, cardiovascular disease, certain types of tumors, head and neck trauma, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, lyme disease, fibromyalgia and thoracic outlet syndrome.
Tinnitus is the most common service-connected disability of veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Preventing Tinnitus
Wear ear plugs and/or ear muffs when mowing grass or attending concerts and sporting events where you know the noise will be loud over an extended period of time.
Everyone’s tolerance is different and you may not notice hearing loss for years so precautionary steps are easy and smart. If you’re standing three feet away from someone and you can’t hear what that person is saying, the noise may be damaging to your hearing.
Diagnosing Tinnitus
An ear, nose and throat specialist can determine if tinnitus is caused by a medical condition or if a medical treatment option might be recommended. A certified audiologist can conduct hearing tests and prescribe nonmedical treatments like masking, sound therapy and amplification.
Patients can feel better by managing tinnitus.
Managing Tinnitus
Most of the time there won’t be a threatening underlying problem. But no quick fix or cure either.
Sufferers should plan to spend 10-15 minutes a day managing and controlling their symptoms so they gradually have fewer bad ear days and more not-so-bad ear days.
Treatments that work for one patient won’t necessarily work for another. While we utilize a variety of treatment options, audiologists partner with patients so individuals get the most effective treatment strategy for them.
If you have tinnitus, review your medications with your doctor. Keep a log of what triggers your tinnitus and how that makes you feel.
White noise machines help a lot of people. Sounds of a waterfall, for example, will drown out the tinnitus. It also helps to reduce stress, get plenty of rest and eat a good diet.
Eliminate or reduce salt, artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medications, tobacco and caffeine.
Educate yourself by visiting and/or joining the American Tinnitus Association.
Keep a log of what triggers your tinnitus and how that makes you feel. Then note any illogical thinking or reactions. For example, before I got tinnitus, I had a good life. Now, I don’t. More logical thinking to help you feel better would be my tinnitus got worse after the concert. I enjoyed the music but my tinnitus ruined a perfect evening.
You might also want to find a support group near you.
Neuromonics Treatment Device
That ringing or buzzing sound isn’t in your ears, and it’s not all in your head. Each person’s experience of tinnitus is unique – and very real. If chronic tinnitus is interrupting your life, now there’s new hope for you to reclaim your life.
Only the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment Device is clinically proven to offer long-term significant relief from tinnitus. This patented treatment method is FDA-cleared, noninvasive and customized for each patient to address the root causes of tinnitus.
Total Hearing Solutions is a division of Northside ENT. You can make an appointment to see a certified audiologist at (317) 705-2732 to learn about the Neuromonics Treatment Device.
