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UNDERSTANDING
TINNITUS
Are you hearing ringing,
whistling, hissing, buzzing, or pulsing sounds? You may be
suffering from tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a medical condition characterized by persistent ringing
in one or both ears which can only be heard by the affected
individual. It has also been described as whistling, hissing,
buzzing or pulsing in the ear. These sounds may come and go;
however, most sufferers experience symptoms 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. The effects range from slight annoyance to severe
disruption of everyday life. The American Tinnitus Association
estimates that over 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus.
| Causes of
tinnitus are varied and the condition is typically
accompanied by hearing loss. Your hearing healthcare
professional can properly diagnose and treat both
conditions. |
Tinnitus Treatment
Due to the personal and unique nature of each tinnitus condition,
proper evaluation and specialized treatment is necessary.
Although there isn't a single cure for tinnitus, hearing healthcare
professionals are experienced at providing individual solutions on a
case-by-case basis. After completing a hearing test, your
professional may refer you to an otolaryngologist for further
examination.
In many cases, the distressing
combination of tinnitus and hearing loss can be relieved with
advanced hearing technology. While worn, a hearing system can
restore ambient sounds and help eliminate the effects of tinnitus.
An electronic device call a Masker may also be worn to distract from
the ringing sensation. Maskers fit in the ear much like
hearing aids and produce low-level sounds.
Your hearing healthcare
professional will also evaluate other treatment options, including
drug therapy and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). Your
professional can explain the possible side-effects of various
medications with you. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
combines low-level, steady background sounds played through a device
with intensive counseling. TRT is an involved process that can
take 12-24 months to reduce the effects of tinnitus.
Causes
of Tinnitus may include:
- Noise-induced
hearing loss and nerve damage
- A
buildup of earwax
- Some
prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Ear
infections or eardrum rupture
- Head
and neck trauma
- Cardiovascular
problems, such as hypertension
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The most important step you can
take to find relief from tinnitus is to speak with a hearing
healthcare professional and complete a thorough hearing evaluation.
Source: American Tinnitus
Association
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