tinnitus

What is Tinnitus, and How is it Treated?

If you’re experiencing a ringing or buzzing sound that no one else can hear, you may be suffering from tinnitus. This is a condition where you ‘hear’ sounds in your head that don’t necessarily have an external source. 

The good news is that there are many resources for tinnitus – as well as new methodologies to help you manage uncomfortable symptoms. 

If you’ve been recently diagnosed and wondering, ‘what is tinnitus?,’ you can use this guide to get more information. You can also explore new tinnitus treatment options provided by the team at Better Hearing Clinic.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of noise in the ears even when no external source is present. Some patients describe this as a ringing, hissing, or humming sound, although others may describe it as roaring water or static electricity.

These phantom sounds can range in volume and may be constant or intermittent. They may be in one ear or both, change based on the weather, or stop or start depending on how you stretch.

There are also two different types of tinnitus diagnoses:

  1. Subjective tinnitus: The patient is the only one who can hear buzzing sounds. This is often harder to treat and may be a more serious condition.
  2. Objective tinnitus: The patient and their doctor can hear buzzing sounds. While less common, this is more likely to have a diagnosable cause and therefore be easier to treat.

The National Institute of Health estimates that 10% to 25% of US adults struggle with both types of tinnitus. Thankfully, understanding the underlying cause can help you effectively manage your symptoms. 

Causes of Tinnitus

Several factors can lead to tinnitus, including:

  • Age-related hearing loss. As their auditory system undergoes wear and tear, older adults may experience increasingly frequent bouts of tinnitus. 
  • Exposure to loud noises. Concerts or machinery can damage delicate structures within the ear, leading to tinnitus. The effects of this may be temporary or permanent depending on the frequency of noise exposure.
  • Underlying health conditions. High blood pressure, ear infections, and even stress may contribute to the onset of tinnitus.

There may also be rarer underlying factors such as Ménière’s Disease (an inner ear disorder) and vestibular schwannoma (a benign tumor). These, however, are far less common, and unlikely to be the root cause of your tinnitus diagnosis.

How to Diagnose Tinnitus

Not every sensation of ringing or buzzing in your ears is a sign of tinnitus. 

Before you spend time, money, and effort treating your symptoms, you should speak with an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for an official diagnosis.

This diagnostic process may involve:

Hearing Tests

A series of hearing tests from Better Hearing Clinic can help you assess your aural abilities. They also measure how well you can hear different frequencies, which can pinpoint the early onset of tinnitus.

Imaging and Scans

If your specialist doesn’t notice any abnormalities in your hearing, they may order an MRI or CT scan to rule out abnormalities or underlying health conditions. This may require speaking with a specialist or booking a hospital stay.

Medical Examinations

Your doctor may check for high cholesterol or thyroid disorders, since both can exacerbate the symptoms of tinnitus. Your physician may also request your medical history, as well as daily levels of noise exposure.

Remember: you don’t need to wait for tinnitus to ‘get worse’ before booking a visit with your audiologist. If the buzzing in your ears worsens, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness or hearing loss, immediately contact the team at Better Hearing Clinic.

What is the Most Effective Treatment for Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is not always a curable condition, and no single treatment has been universally effective.

That said, the most effective treatment is to combine multiple approaches then test new solutions as they become available.

A few of the most effective treatments for tinnitus include:

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids work by amplifying external sounds, which can help to mask the tinnitus noise and make it less noticeable. A quality pair with quality batteries can last up to a week without needing replacement.

Just keep in mind that hearing aids may not be as effective for individuals without hearing loss. It is important to have a professional hearing aid evaluation to determine if hearing aids are a suitable option for your specific needs.

Ear Cleaning

If your tinnitus was caused by earwax buildup, you can request an ear cleaning service. This process gently scrapes away excess earwax and relieves pressure on your ear canal.

Be advised that improper ear cleaning can lead to ear damage or infections, and it isn’t advised to try this on your own. Instead, you’re welcome to contact the team at Better Hearing Clinic to request a consultation and see if your tinnitus would be helped by ear cleaning.

Therapy Options

Therapy can help patients manage their reactions to tinnitus, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (or CBT). By changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, CBT can reduce the emotional impact of tinnitus.

Another solution is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, which can retrain your brain to disregard the ringing. This makes your condition much easier to deal with and also increases your quality of life.

Medication Changes

Several common medications — including aspirin and acetaminophen — can induce tinnitus or make symptoms worse. Your physician may advise switching up your medications or replacing prescriptions with less impactful options.

Your doctor may also prescribe some tinnitus-specific treatments such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. While these do not inherently treat the root cause of your tinnitus, they could make symptoms easier to manage.

What is the Latest Treatment for Tinnitus?

In March 2023, the FDA approved a bimodal neuromodulation device to assist with tinnitus relief. The treatment process is composed of two parts: mouth simulation, and aural stimulation.

First, the patient places an electrical simulant on their tongue, which ‘tickles’ the muscle and creates a focal point for the brain. Then, the patient places headphones over their ears and listens to ambient noise for up to one hour per day.

These two modalities work together to distract the brain from uncomfortable hissing or buzzing. With this tool, studies show that 84% of patients in clinical trials have significantly reduced their tinnitus symptoms.

Conclusion: Get Effective Tinnitus Treatment from Better Hearing Clinic

The effects of tinnitus can pose several challenges. But while there is not yet a universal cure, there are many solutions for managing symptoms. Working with a team of experienced audiologists and ENT specialists can help you find relief and improve your well-being.

If you’re located near McAllen, Texas, Better Hearing Clinic is available to help. We offer comprehensive diagnostic evaluations to reduce the effects of tinnitus and craft a personalized plan to manage ongoing symptoms.

Take the first step towards managing your tinnitus by scheduling a consultation with Better Hearing Clinic. Contact our friendly office at 956-630-7629 to speak with a professional and set up an appointment.

What is Tinnitus FAQs

What is the simple trick to stop tinnitus?

There is no simple trick to completely stop tinnitus, but there are several methods for managing symptoms.

These include:

  • Using white noise machines to mask the sound
  • practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation
  • Using ear protection to negate further damage

What are the main causes of tinnitus?

Tinnitus is often caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises, ear infections, or age-related hearing loss. Other less common factors include earwax blockage, head or neck injuries, and conditions such as Ménière’s Disease.

Do tinnitus ear drops work?

Tinnitus ear drops may provide temporary tinnitus relief for some individuals, especially if their symptoms are related to earwax buildup or inflammation. However, drops are generally not effective on situations involving hearing or neurological issues. Instead, you should consult a healthcare professional at Better Hearing Clinic to receive a personalized treatment plan.

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