Tinnitus is a problem that some people have, where they can hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking in their ears even when there are no external sounds. This might be due to aging, exposure to loud noises, ear infections, or head injuries. Although it is not a disease itself, it can greatly affect someone’s life.
Almost every week, I meet with people in my clinic who tell me about a loud, never-ending sound that they hear in one or both of their ears. It’s distracting and can be quite frightening!
People with tinnitus experience different kinds of noises like buzzing, blowing, hissing, ringing, roaring, rumbling or whooshing in their head. These sounds do not come from the outside environment but instead this strange noise is located directly inside their head!
I’m an ear doctor, also known as a neurotologist. In the past 20 years I’ve seen 2500 tinnitus patients, which shouldn’t be too surprising since around 15% of Americans struggle with tinnitus, meaning there are more than 50 million people in the US who have it.
Lots of people have tinnitus, a ringing noise in their ears. Around 20 million people have really bad tinnitus and 2 million find it extremely difficult to deal with. This mostly affects older people, but sometimes even kids and teenagers get tinnitus.
The best way to stop getting it is by wearing hearing protection when you’re around loud noises or music.
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Dealing with Tinnitus
We don’t really know what causes a ringing sound in our ears (called tinnitus). Doctors have no cure for this yet and that’s really upsetting to some people who experience it. Worse, many doctors act like there isn’t anything they can do and make the person feel bad about having tinnitus, which makes them angry.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can totally get rid of tinnitus. But hearing specialists have ways to make it less painful for most people. So, don’t worry! There’s still hope!
Tinnitus is a condition that doctors and researchers still do not know much about, but we do know that loud noises can cause it. This includes sounds from guns, power tools, machines, MRI scans and even just one rock concert! Just hearing one really loud noise can start tinnitus, although it is usually temporary.
Many military members suffer from a condition called tinnitus, which they got after being exposed to loud noises such as gunshots or the noise of cars and airplanes. More than 2.5 million veterans are actually getting disability money because they have tinnitus.
Certain health issues like sinus infections, fever and the flu can cause tinnitus (ear buzzing). It can also be caused by drinking too much caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or taking certain medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen. If you stop drinking these substances or taking medications, then the tinnitus usually fades away. One way to tackle tinnitus is to watch videos with sound-generating content.
Understanding the Cycle of Tinnitus to Manage Symptoms Successfully!
If you are having problems with tinnitus, a doctor will check your ear to make sure there isn’t too much wax or an infection. They’ll also do a hearing test to figure out why you have it.
Lots of people with tinnitus have a cycle that goes like this: The tinnitus makes them stressed, the stress then makes the tinnitus worse, and so on.
It’s very important for the doctor to tell you that tinnitus won’t do any harm or cause any threatening health problems. Usually, this is enough for people to control their tinnitus. The goal is to keep it from distracting you as you go about your day and stop it from keeping you up at night.
Noise-Canceling Solutions for Annoying Tinnitus
Background noise can help to block out tinnitus, and there are many places where you can find this. YouTube has videos that make sound which could cancel out the annoying noise coming from your tinnitus. Some of these videos also have black screens so they can play all night. You can also download free apps if you have a smartphone, while some people say fans, air conditioners, sound machines and even the TV or radio might help too.
There are special kinds of machines that can help make tinnitus quieter. Audiologists program the machine to produce a noise that is at the same pitch as your tinnitus so it cancels out the sound. These machines are usually not covered by insurance nor Medicare, though.
If you have hearing loss, regular hearing aids might be able to cover up your tinnitus with background noise and also help you hear better.
Taking certain kinds of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help people who suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or a history of head injury. But another approach that also works is talking to a counselor – this is called cognitive behavioral therapy. During these discussions with the therapist, the person learns how to deal with their issues more effectively instead of trying to fight against them.
For some people, tinnitus retraining therapy can be quite helpful. This combination of therapy and a special device called noise-canceling works by playing nice music with the sound of the person’s tinnitus mixed in it. The idea is that if they hear their tinnitus along with pleasant music, it won’t cause them to feel stressed or worried out. Studies show that 80% of patients get at least some benefit from this therapy.
Be careful when shopping for supplements that promise to cure or make tinnitus better. None of these have been proven to work by scientific study.
Uncovering the Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus
If you hear a pulsing sound in your ears, it’s called pulsatile tinnitus. To figure out why this is happening, you should go to the doctor. It might be because there is something wrong with the blood vessels near your ear. Often times, these problems can be fixed and the throbbing noise will stop.
If you’re experiencing a clicking or thumping sound in your ears, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible – especially if the sound wakes you up. This can be an indication of a rare form of tinnitus.
However, there is some hope: with the passage of time, many tinnitus sufferers find that their symptoms improve significantly – sometimes to the point where they are no longer bothersome. This process can take several months or even years, but eventually most people see relief!
This article was first published in The Conversation.
How can I get rid of my tinnitus?
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for tinnitus. However, there are some treatments that may help to reduce the severity of the ringing or buzzing noise in your ears. These treatments include sound therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, and medications. It is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and possible treatment options.
How do you deal with constant tinnitus?
1. Avoid loud noises. Wearing earplugs and other protective gear can help reduce the severity of tinnitus.
2. Reduce stress. Stress can worsen tinnitus, so try to reduce your stress levels.
3. Check your medications. Some medications can contribute to tinnitus, so check with your doctor to make sure your medication is not causing your tinnitus.
4. Consider sound therapy. Certain types of sound therapy can help reduce the severity of tinnitus.
5. Practice relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help reduce stress and improve your overall quality of life.
6. Seek medical advice. If your tinnitus does not improve, it is important to speak to your doctor about other treatments that may help.
Does tinnitus go away?
Tinnitus can be a chronic condition, meaning it may not go away completely. However, there are treatments available to help reduce the severity of the condition and lessen its impact on day-to-day life. These treatments include sound therapy, counseling, lifestyle changes, medications, and more.
What are the first signs of tinnitus?
The primary symptoms of tinnitus are usually a ringing or buzzing sound in one or both ears. Other common symptoms include an increase in the volume of the sound, a feeling of fullness in the ear, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
