Tinnitus
Management
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Tinnitus Management
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the hearing of sound when no external sound is present. It is usually described as a ringing noise, but in some patients, it takes the form of a high-pitched whining, electric buzzing, hissing, humming, tinging or whistling, ticking, clicking, roaring, “crickets”, “tree frogs”, “locusts”, tunes, songs, beeping, sizzling, or sounds that slightly resemble human voices or even a pure steady tone like that heard during a hearing test. Rarely, unclear voices or music are heard. The sound may be soft or loud, low pitched or high pitched and appear to be coming from one ear or both.
Most of the time, tinnitus comes on gradually. In some people, the sound causes depression or anxiety and can interfere with concentration. Tinnitus is common, affecting about 10–15% of people. Most, however, tolerate it well, and it is a significant problem in only 1–2% of people.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom that can result from a number of underlying causes. One of the most common causes is noise-induced hearing loss. Other causes include ear infections, disease of the heart or blood vessels, Ménière’s disease, brain tumors, emotional stress, exposure to certain medications, a previous head injury, and earwax. It is more common in those with depression.
Tinnitus Treatment Options
We specialize in helping those suffering from tinnitus. Solutions may include specialized hearing instruments, sound maskers and more. If you are experiencing ringing ears, contact our practice today to schedule a consultation