Tinnitus is a sound that you can hear, but nobody else can. It could be ringing, buzzing, or hissing—there are many different types. It's estimated that 50 million people in the United States alone have tinnitus. Treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of symptoms, underlying issues causing the condition, and personal preferences for therapy options. Read more below to learn about the types & causes of tinnitus as well as current treatment options.
Over 99 percent of tinnitus sufferers have subjective tinnitus. This type of tinnitus is only heard by the person who has the condition.
On the other hand, objective tinnitus is highly uncommon, accounting for fewer than 1% of all occurrences. In this variant, the person experiencing tinnitus and a person sitting nearby will both hear the sounds.
Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition, the most common being hearing loss.
People with hearing loss are up to four times more likely to develop tinnitus, a chronic ringing or buzzing in the ears. The exact cause is still being investigated by hearing experts. Still, early conclusions point to hearing loss disrupting the ear and brain connection.
Tinnitus can also be caused by trauma to the head or neck, low blood sugar, stress, and other factors.
Finding a treatment requires careful consideration of both the symptoms and the underlying cause of tinnitus. For example, we may recommend lifestyle changes to reduce stress and anxiety, making tinnitus less noticeable or even eliminating it in some cases. Other times, we may refer patients to sound therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy to help them manage their condition.
Treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of symptoms, underlying issues causing the condition, and personal preferences for therapy options.
Are you experiencing tinnitus symptoms? Call us today to see what we can do.
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