Tinnitus affects between 10% and 25% of people. Let’s take a look at what tinnitus is and a few things that can cause it.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a sound in your ears with no external source. It sounds different for everyone, but many describe it as a ringing, buzzing, humming or pulsing in the ears. Some people will only hear the noise for a few seconds occasionally, while others might experience it almost constantly.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom of other conditions, not a condition itself. While experts aren’t sure why some people develop tinnitus and others don’t, there are a few ear conditions that tend to lead to it, including but not limited to:
- Hearing loss. When you have hearing loss, the auditory center of your brain gets less stimulation. Over time, the absence of sound may cause the brain to generate its own noise in the form of tinnitus.
- Ear trauma. Physical trauma to the ears can damage the nerves in the ear or the brain’s auditory centers, leading to tinnitus on the side of the impact.
- Physical blockages. If earwax or fluid from an ear infection blocks the flow of sound, it can cause temporary tinnitus.
- Ototoxic medications. Ototoxic medications can damage the inner ear, leading to hearing loss or tinnitus. Common medications include chemotherapy, blood pressure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) and strong antibiotic drugs.
While rare, problems with the vascular system can result in objective tinnitus, meaning another person can hear the noise.
Is There a Cure for Tinnitus?
Tinnitus has no known cure. However, there are a few methods you can use to manage its impact:
- Sound masking. Sound masking distracts the brain from the internal ringing with a calming noise. You can use a fan, tinnitus app, white noise machine or hearing aids to try sound masking. If you already wear hearing aids, check their app for a tinnitus masking feature.
- Counseling. Cognitive behavioral therapy with a mental health professional or tinnitus retraining therapy with a hearing specialist will teach you how to reframe tinnitus in a neutral way to minimize its impact.
- Relaxation. Relaxing activities like meditation or a class at Kaizen Yoga can reduce stress and minimize your fixation on tinnitus.
If you’re living with constant tinnitus, contact Amarillo Hearing Clinic today to schedule an evaluation and management plan with one of our specialists.
