Tinnitus is the term used to describe the condition of perceiving a ringing, buzzing or whooshing noise in the absence of an external sound source. This is typically only experienced by the person with tinnitus and has a variety of different causes.
Treating the cause
Tinnitus can be caused by many things, and is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. The treatment for your particular tinnitus will depend on the condition that is causing it, the severity, any accompanying issues such as hearing loss, and the impact the tinnitus has on daily activities.
Common causes of tinnitus include:
- Hearing loss
- Exposure to loud noises
- Earwax buildup or blockage
- Meniere’s disease
- Head or neck injuries
- Medication
- Aging
- Vascular disorders
- Stress or anxiety
In order to find out the root cause of your tinnitus, your hearing specialist will conduct a complete medical history, as well as a complete examination.
What treatments are available?
Depending on the cause of your tinnitus and other factors, several treatments are available to relieve your tinnitus symptoms. The most effective way to improve your tinnitus is by treating your hearing through proper amplification.
Hearing aids
Hearing aids are the best treatment option for tinnitus even in cases when hearing loss isn’t present. By stimulating your brain through proper amplification, there is an 85% chance of reducing the perception of your tinnitus. Hearing aids can also be equipped with a tinnitus-masking feature to help individuals block out the noise and provide much-needed relief.