What is tinnitus?

Hear a persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears? You’re probably suffering from tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears. But what is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a common condition that impacts the hearing of millions worldwide. Like the saying “you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone,” tinnitus is unlikely to be on your radar until your hearing declines because of it. Tinnitus can have a significant impact on your quality of life.

Tinnitus is described as a ringing, buzzing, hissing or even clicking sound in the ears. The sound varies in volume and can be persistent or come and go intermittently. For some, tinnitus is temporary while it becomes a chronic interference for others. Some cases are mild, a minor annoyance that can be tuned out or ignored. For others, tinnitus becomes a constant distraction to daily life, making it difficult to concentrate, fall asleep or even hear competing sounds like conversation.

The cause of tinnitus varies. The most common cause is age-related hearing loss. Exposure to loud noises, especially over long periods of time, is also a cause of tinnitus. Ear infections that change the pressure inside your ear can bring on tinnitus that lasts until the infection is resolved. High blood pressure, anemia or certain medications can also cause tinnitus.

The silver lining is that there are many treatment options to mask or improve symptoms. If your tinnitus is due to hearing loss, hearing aids can turn down the ringing sounds while turning up other sound input. Utilizing white noise can cover up the ringing sound and cognitive behavioral therapy can train your brain to ignore the sounds. Treating underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or ear wax buildup, can also drastically reduce tinnitus symptoms. Lifestyle changes like reducing stress, increasing sleep and exercise and maintaining a healthy diet are also recommended. Want to know more about tinnitus? Ready to get a diagnosis for the constant ringing in your ears? Want to explore treatment options to reduce your tinnitus symptoms while improving your quality of life? Call the Biltmore Audiology & Hearing Aid Center at (602) 560-1085 to schedule an appointment today.