Tinnitus affects between 25 million to 50 million adults in the U.S. If you experience persistent buzzing, humming, ringing, or clicking noises, you may have Tinnitus. Temporary Tinnitus can be common after exposure to excessively loud noises such as music concerts, gunshots, and loud machinery. Most adults have experienced some level of Tinnitus in their lifetime.
Tinnitus can hinder your ability to concentrate or hold conversations and ranges in severity from mildly annoying to a persistent problem that causes anxiety, communication problems, and even depression.
Tinnitus occurs when a disruption happens to the hearing process within the middle or inner ear. Perceived ringing and other high-pitched sounds occur when sound waves in the ear are interfered with, causing distortions that result in the ringing and buzzing symptoms. Tinnitus is common in people who have suffered noise-induced hearing loss.
Tinnitus is usually the result of prolonged or repeated exposure to loud and excessive noises. It is estimated that around 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of noise-related hearing loss. The cause of tinnitus is not often found unless the person is suffering from a closely related ailment.
Factors that can cause Tinnitus symptoms include:
- Ear infections
- Thyroid dysfunction or disease
- Meniere’s disease: A chronic disease that causes feelings of vertigo and dizziness
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Regular use of some medications
While there is no cure for tinnitus, most people who get diagnosed do not understand that there are treatments that can help. The first step is to set up a hearing test where one of our specialists will help you determine if you are experiencing hearing loss that is related to tinnitus.
Occasionally our hearing professionals may recommend a digital hearing aid to boost “real” sounds to keep your brain busy processing the many noises around you. Additionally we may offer devices that can help mask the tinnitus symptoms by creating sounds that allow your ear to focus on external noises.
Beltone offers some of the latest tinnitus treatments available including special devices and computer apps designed specifically to treat the condition:
The Beltone Tinnitus Calmer™ app, which uses a combination of sound therapy and relaxation techniques to help patients learn to cope with their symptoms so distraction and anxiety are reduced. The app is available through the Apple store and Google Play.
If you suspect you have tinnitus, seek out help and information about your options. We may be able to help treat your tinnitus and hearing health symptoms. Call (888) 417-2130 today or use our online form to request your free hearing test. Don’t just live with tinnitus; take the first step toward better hearing today.
