Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing, buzzing, whooshing, or hissing sensation in your ears, but an external noise doesn’t cause the sound. More than 50 million Americans experience tinnitus for several different reasons.
Symptoms of tinnitus
There are several different symptoms of tinnitus, but the most common include hearing the following sounds:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Whooshing
- Hissing
- Clicking
These sounds are heard only by the person experiencing the tinnitus but can sometimes be detected by a hearing professional. These sounds can be heard constantly or intermittently. Some people have problems sleeping when they have tinnitus because they feel as though their brain never “shuts off.”
Causes of tinnitus
Several factors can cause tinnitus, including the following:
- Exposure to loud noise
- Medication
- Hearing loss
- Ear infection
- Trauma to the ear
- Earwax buildup
- Meniere’s disease
- Vascular disorders
Tinnitus may be caused by one or more of these conditions, and some can be resolved easily if the cause is temporary, such as an infection or a buildup of earwax.
Tinnitus treatments
Depending on the cause of your tinnitus, there are different treatment methods available to help you find relief. Your hearing care provider will assess the severity of your tinnitus, symptoms, how it impedes your daily life, and possible causes, and recommend one of the following solutions.
- Address the problem: If your tinnitus is due to earwax buildup, medication, or infection, removing the earwax, switching medications, or using antibiotics may resolve the issue.
- Hearing aids: Hearing devices are incredibly helpful in treating tinnitus. Even if a hearing loss isn’t present, hearing aids can be equipped with tinnitus-masking features that help cover the tinnitus and offer relief from the unwanted noise.
- White noise machines: If your tinnitus isn’t as severe or only experienced at nighttime, a white noise machine may be ideal for helping you find relief. White noise machines produce a steady sound to help mask the tinnitus noises you hear.
If you’re experiencing tinnitus, schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms. Our hearing provider will help identify potential causes and guide you in managing your tinnitus with appropriate treatment options.