Have you ever experienced an unexplainable ringing, buzzing, hissing or whooshing sound in your ears? It may be persistent and last for hours or it could be intermittent and gone in a matter of minutes. Regardless, it’s always the same – some type of sound with no external source. These symptoms are attributed to tinnitus, and if you’re experiencing it – you’re not alone.
At Beltone Sound, we understand how tinnitus can negatively impact your life, especially if it goes untreated. That’s why we pride ourselves on helping patients find the solutions that work for their individual needs.
Treating the Cause
Typically, tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition. We have to understand what this underlying condition is in your situation in order to recommend the most effective treatment plan moving forward.
Some of the most common causes of tinnitus include:
- Hearing loss
- Consistent exposure to loud noises
- Head and neck injuries
- Aging
- Stress and depression
- Medication
- Abnormal bone growths in the ear
- Earwax buildup and blockage
Your tinnitus may also stem from vascular disorders, Meniere’s disease or a head or neck injury. With so many potential causes, the best way to find the source of your tinnitus is to schedule an appointment with the team at Beltone Sound.
What treatments are available?
The underlying cause of your tinnitus can, along with other factors, determine the types of treatment that are available to you. But here are three of the most common solutions for this condition.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are one of the most popular forms of treatment for tinnitus. They may be an option for you, even if you’re not experiencing any hearing loss. This is because hearing aids can now be equipped with tinnitus-masking features that help to block out unwanted noise. Your care team may recommend hearing aids in combination with other forms of treatment for tinnitus as well.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy is a method for mitigating the emotional impact of tinnitus. It uses a variety of sounds to help the brain refocus so that the ringing, buzzing or whooshing of tinnitus has less of an impact on you. Sound therapy may help to diminish your tinnitus symptoms to the point that they no longer impact your daily life.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
Finally, TRT may also be an option for you in tandem with hearing aids or sound machines. This is also known as habituation therapy, and it involves retraining the brain so that it perceives tinnitus differently. Standard behavioral therapy may also be included in this plan to help you manage the emotions you’re experiencing around your tinnitus diagnosis.
The best form of care for your tinnitus will depend on the cause and the other factors that make up your unique situation. You can reach out to our office to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward determining which type of care is right for you.