According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus. That\u2019s over 15 percent of the U.S. population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what is this audiological and neurological condition that afflicts one in every six of us \u2014 and what can people who suffer from it do about it? We cover the basics here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is tinnitus?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. In most cases, tinnitus is a subjective sound, meaning only the sufferer can hear it. Typically, sufferers describe the sound as \u201cringing in ears,\u201d though others describe it as hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring and even chirping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For some, tinnitus is mild and intermittent. For others, it can be severe and last all day. But for everyone, the desire for relief is great \u2014 so great, many sufferers will try anything to make their tinnitus less annoying, including resorting to acupuncture, eardrops, herbal remedies, hypnosis and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What causes tinnitus?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists and health experts have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of tinnitus. But several sources are known to trigger or worsen ringing in the ears, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is there a cure for tinnitus?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently, there is no known tinnitus cure. However, according to the American Tinnitus Association, there are recommended ways to get tinnitus relief, including counseling and sound therapy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hearing aids are an effective part of a sound therapy protocol, as specific hearing aids today utilize a customizable and comforting sound stimulus that soothes the annoying noises associated with tinnitus. Tinnitus usually produces a shrill, high pitched, unpleasant tone, while the hearing aid\u2019s sound stimulus is designed to be soothing \u2014 to counterbalance and help take your mind of your tinnitus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What should you do if you or someone you know has tinnitus?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the exact cause of tinnitus is not known, we encourage you to\u00a0contact our office today and schedule a tinnitus evaluation<\/a>\u00a0This evaluation \u2014 including a complete patient medical history \u2014 helps the hearing professional determine if tinnitus is present and what may be causing it. Specialized tests are performed to evaluate the auditory system. Some of these tests measure the specific features of the tinnitus itself, and could include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n