There are any number of hearing conditions that a person can experience. Perhaps the one that’s most disconcerting is tinnitus. This is when you hear a ringing noise that doesn’t seem to originate from any external source. It seems to be emitted from inside your ears. In some cases, this can be mild and manageable. In other cases, it can be a serious condition that severely impacts a person’s quality of life. It’s important to remember that ringing in your ears is not automatically cause for concern. Indeed, it’s something that most people experience at one stage or another.
We’re going to take a look at some useful information about tinnitus, including occasional tinnitus, the underlying causes of the condition and the treatment options that are available.
Occasional ringing
The best way to differentiate tinnitus from a regular, every day experience is to look at the amount of time that you have ringing in your ears. Most people will experience some ringing in their ears from time to time. In most cases, the ringing will last around thirty seconds or so; it’ll begin loud but then begin to fade almost instantly. Sometimes the ringing can last up to a few minutes. This is just occasional ringing; nothing to concern yourself with. If you find that the ringing in your ears isn’t going away, or the frequency with which you’re experiencing the ringing is increasing, then that might be a sign that you have tinnitus.
When to seek help
There are times when you may need to seek help from a professional. There’s no need to schedule an appointment with an audiologist just because you’ve experienced a temporary form of ringing in your ears. It’s when the ringing becomes more frequent or more invasive that you will want to consider seeking treatment. There are many different forms that tinnitus can take. Ringing is the most common symptom, but there are others, too – you might hear a buzzing, whistling, roaring or humming in your ears. Generally, it doesn’t matter what the specifics of the sound are; if you continually hear something that isn’t caused by external factors, then it’s worth getting things checked out.
What causes tinnitus?
There are many different causes of tinnitus, though some are more common than others. It could be that the tinnitus is associated with hearing loss that is common in older people. Another common cause is exposure to loud noises. This could happen as a one-time event, or because of many years of exposure. There are some other causes that can influence tinnitus or make symptoms worse – for example, a buildup of wax in the ear or the overconsumption of alcohol. It’s best to let an expert take a look at your ears.
Treatment options
There is no cure for tinnitus. However, there are things you can do that’ll minimize the impact of the symptoms. Hearing aids are especially recommended, especially if the tinnitus is connected to hearing loss. There are also masking machines that can help to improve focus/help people sleep. These are machines that pump out a noise that gives the brain something to focus on other than the ringing in the ears.
Moving forward
Once you’ve spoken with a professional, and they’ve given you some possible treatment options, then you’ll find that things become much more manageable. Currently, it’s more than possible to live a happy and full life, even if you’re experiencing tinnitus.
If you’re experiencing tinnitus, or any other ear related condition, then look at scheduling an appointment with us here at Albuquerque Hearing and Balance. We have a dedicated, professional, and respectful team that will be able to conduct hearing tests and examine your ears for any other problems that may be causing the ringing in your ears. You can book an appointment by calling (505) 750-9569. Whatever issue you have, you can rest assured that we’ll work with you to ensure that you receive the best care possible.