Tinnitus is a condition that causes ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing noises in the ear. It is a common and annoying condition that can be treated. It is most commonly caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that produce the sound in your ear. However, it can be the result of other problems as well.
Symptoms associated with Inner Ear Tinnitus
Often, tinnitus is accompanied by hearing loss, which can make it even more noticeable. If you have tinnitus and hearing loss, your ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) will likely recommend a hearing test. The ENT will examine your ears and perform an audiogram to assess your hearing. If you have tinnitus without hearing loss, a different type of test may be needed to determine the cause.
The most important thing is to find the cause of your tinnitus so that you can get treatment. Some of the most common causes include ototoxicity (drugs that can cause earwax blockage), head injury, sinus infection and exposure to loud noises.
Other possible causes of tinnitus include changes in the signals that send messages from your brain to the ears. These can be the result of damage to your ear or an imbalance in the neural circuits that send these messages.
Certain medications can also cause tinnitus, especially ototoxic drugs and other sedatives. It is important to stop using these types of medications when you notice tinnitus, as they can cause the symptoms to get worse.
Your ENT may prescribe medication or other treatments to help manage the symptoms of tinnitus and to prevent hearing loss from getting worse. Your ENT may also refer you to a hearing center for testing and other hearing-related services.
Exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce stress, which can exacerbate tinnitus. It is also important to maintain a healthy sleep schedule and avoid snoring.
Other therapies to help ease the symptoms of tinnitus include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you how to cope with your symptoms. This approach may not make the sound less noticeable, but it can greatly improve your quality of life.
Changing your environment can also help reduce the impact of your tinnitus. For example, you may try playing a calming sound or listening to music in a quiet room. You might also change the way you speak and how often you talk.
Some other things that can help you live with tinnitus are relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, and stress management practices. Some people also use hypnosis to help relax them.
Your ENT may also be able to recommend hearing devices, such as cochlear implants, which are designed to stimulate nerves in the inner ear to improve hearing. These devices are available for patients with severe to profound hearing loss that does not respond to other hearing aids or other treatments.
Your ENT doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help you manage tinnitus, such as avoiding loud noises, limiting your alcohol intake and getting regular exercise. These can also help to control blood pressure, which is a risk factor for tinnitus.
