Tinnitus is a common symptom affecting an estimated 10% to 25% of adults. It manifests as a ringing or buzzing in the ear with no external source. Because of the subjective nature of most tinnitus, and the quick bursts it often manifests as at first, it can be tricky to pinpoint why you’re suddenly experiencing the symptom.
Let’s examine a few common causes of tinnitus and explore strategies for managing it if it becomes a frequent issue.
Tinnitus Causes
The leading cause of tinnitus is hearing loss. Researchers believe that when your auditory system starts to receive less information, the hearing nerve continues to fire, causing the brain to generate its own noise in the form of tinnitus.
Because tinnitus and hearing loss are linked, things that cause hearing loss may also lead to tinnitus. A few common causes include:
- Aging
- Loud noise exposure
- Certain medications
- Physical ear injuries
- Ear infections
- Head or neck injuries
Tinnitus often starts out small, with only a few short bursts of ringing, but progresses over time, often in tandem with hearing loss.
When Should I Seek Help for Tinnitus?
Infrequent, short bursts of tinnitus aren’t usually a big deal. You might notice the ringing after going to a loud concert at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre or seeing a booming action movie—a symptom of a temporary threshold shift. If, however, the ringing starts popping up more than a few times a week or lasts longer than a couple of minutes, you should schedule a hearing test and tinnitus consultation with one of our specialists.
How Can a Hearing Specialist Help?
Following an exam, your hearing specialist may recommend one or more of the following management options:
- Hearing aids. Hearing aids manage the underlying hearing loss and provide stimulation to your auditory center. Ideally, the presence of an external noise will prevent the brain from generating tinnitus as frequently.
- Sound therapy. Sound therapy can work in conjunction with hearing aids. By covering tinnitus with a calming external noise, like rainfall or ocean waves, you’re less likely to notice your tinnitus symptoms. You can use hearing aids, a sound machine or a tinnitus app to try the therapy.
- Counseling. Tinnitus counseling falls into two camps: tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). TRT, typically administered by your hearing specialist, combines counseling and sound therapy to reduce your awareness of the symptom. CBT, when guided by a mental health professional, helps you redirect your adverse reaction to the ringing, thereby minimizing its impact.
Each case of tinnitus is unique and requires a personalized management plan. Contact us at Advanced Hearing today to schedule your evaluation and management consultation.