Tinnitus Management
What Causes the Ringing Sound in My Ears?
If you experience ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking sounds in your ears that last five minutes or longer, you are probably suffering from tinnitus. These sounds are typically caused by damage to the cochlea or inner ear. If you are suffering from tinnitus, you are not alone. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 15 percent of Americans, or more than 50 million people, experience tinnitus.
Tinnitus can be caused by exposure to loud noises, head or neck injuries, aging, wax build-up or specific medications. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of a more serious disease, so it’s important to see your doctor if you have that concern.
Is Sudden Ringing in the Ears a Serious Condition?
If you suddenly experience ringing or buzzing in one ear, along with hearing loss and/or dizziness, you should be seen immediately, as it may be a sign of something serious. For most people, however, tinnitus symptoms are minor and easily managed. After a few minutes or hours, tinnitus usually clears up without the need for medical treatment. Chronic tinnitus occurs frequently and lasts longer with each episode. The presence of tinnitus typically indicates you also have hearing loss.
How Can I Stop the Ringing Sound in My Ears?
A hearing aid will allow you to better focus on the speech or music you want to hear and help diminish the ringing or buzzing caused by tinnitus. Many hearing aids feature tinnitus-masking features which provide quiet sounds that help drown out the tinnitus. Call or text Colonial Center for Hearing Audiology in Williamsburg at 757-279-7363 to make an appointment with one of our hearing aid specialists today.
Is There a Cure for Tinnitus?
Unfortunately, there is no known permanent cure for tinnitus, but tinnitus management options are available. Patients who have significant hearing loss in one or both ears and also suffer from tinnitus can consider getting cochlear implants to alleviate their tinnitus and regain their ability to hear. If your tinnitus is less serious, you may consider wearing earplugs when attending concerts, mowing the lawn or visiting a loud restaurant to prevent it from getting worse.
Tinnitus Management
There are numerous ways to manage tinnitus.
Neuromonics Device
A neuromonics device provides relaxing music and pleasing sounds at low volume to reduce tinnitus and relax the listener. You can purchase a downloadable neuromonics device that will work with your smartphone or tablet and transmit to your hearing aid.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you manage the anxiety that often comes with experiencing tinnitus.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Tinnitus retraining therapy helps patients cope with their tinnitus through the use of hearing aids combined with psychological therapy.
Tinnitus Activities Management
Tinnitus activities management utilizes meditation, yoga and mindfulness activities to alleviate the stress that tinnitus sufferers experience.
Lastly, licensed chiropractors and physical therapists can also help alleviate tension in the neck and jaw areas that can lead to and aggravate tinnitus.