Learn About Tinnitus & How It’s Treated for Patients in Fort Wayne, IN
You could be suffering from tinnitus if you hear sounds such as ringing, buzzing, or swishing in one or both of your ears when there’s no external sound present. Tinnitus can be incredibly frustrating to deal with, with some patients experiencing the symptoms constantly and others saying their tinnitus comes and comes. If you have tinnitus, you might wonder if there’s a way to relieve your symptoms. Fortunately, modern hearing health care has a deeper understanding of tinnitus. With advanced technology and individualized care plans, you can combat your symptoms and get the relief you deserve.
Below, the experts at Lowe Audiology explain what tinnitus is, what causes it, and how to treat it properly. Our hearing care professionals provide all the services you need under one roof, from tinnitus testing and treatment to custom hearing protection for patients throughout Fort Wayne, IN and the surrounding areas. Contact the team at Lowe Audiology today to learn more about our leading expertise in hearing healthcare.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus usually indicates a patient’s hearing loss. Many patients describe the sounds they hear as hissing, buzzing, ringing, swishing, whooshing, chirping, or humming. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and affect around 50 million people throughout the United States. In some cases, the condition comes on suddenly. Other patients report that their tinnitus gradually develops over time. Tinnitus usually occurs in people over the age of 55, but it can affect people of all ages. The most common cause of tinnitus is hearing loss due to loud noise exposure or aging (sensorineural hearing loss). It’s important to consult with your physician about the possible side effects of medications, as some can cause tinnitus or worsen the condition. Other potential causes of tinnitus include the following:
- Earwax buildup
- Ear infections
- Allergies
- Otosclerosis
- Middle ear tumors
- Head or neck trauma
- Neck misalignment
- TMJ disorders
- Diabetes
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Low blood pressure
- A punctured eardrum or something touching the eardrum
- Ototoxic substances, including alcohol, caffeine, certain anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, antidepressants, cancer treatments, and medication containing salicylates (such as Ibuprofen and Pepto-Bismol)
What Are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?
It’s important to understand the symptoms of tinnitus so you can schedule an appointment with a hearing care professional to address your condition. Some of the most common symptoms patients experience with tinnitus include:
- Feeling more tired due to disrupted sleep
- Constant high-pitched sounds in your ears
- Difficulty hearing others
- Feeling frustrated more often
- Less social enjoyment due to challenges hearing clearly
- Anxiety, stress, and depression
Types of Tinnitus
Tinnitus typically takes one of the following three forms:
- Tonal tinnitus causes a person to hear a constant sound that isn’t externally present in the ears
- Pulsatile tinnitus produces a sound that pulsates in rhythm with a person’s heartbeat
- Mixed tinnitus causes a person to hear multiple noises simultaneously
- Objective tinnitus is characterized by noises that can be heard by the affected individual and others, as well (this is an extremely rare condition).
Is There a Cure for Tinnitus?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus, like there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. However, modern hearing health care understands the importance of minimizing symptoms for patients as much as possible. Today, many effective treatment options are designed to minimize or eliminate the symptoms of a patient’s tinnitus. If you’re experiencing any signs of tinnitus, you should schedule a one-on-one consultation with your hearing care provider as soon as possible. Untreated hearing loss can cause a broad range of issues, including sleep, concentration, and overall mood. Some tinnitus treatment options include:
- High-quality hearing aids that are professionally prescribed and fit
- Frequent sound stimulation with white noise or other soothing sounds allows your brain to focus on something other than the tinnitus
- An annual hearing evaluation to check for ear wax buildup that can worsen the symptoms of tinnitus
How Can Hearing Aids Help with Tinnitus?
Hearing aids can significantly reduce or eliminate tinnitus symptoms by restoring a patient’s ambient sounds (if the hearing loss and tinnitus are in the same frequency range). Lowe Audiology matches patients with devices designed to manage a patient’s tinnitus with focused sound therapy and interactive relaxation experiences. Many hearing aids today can also be paired with smart devices, allowing you to customize your sound preferences.
The Importance of Addressing Hearing Loss
If you think you have tinnitus, scheduling a comprehensive hearing evaluation with your hearing care provider is essential. Untreated hearing loss is linked to a wide range of mental and physical health conditions, including anxiety, depression, dementia, social isolation, and even accidental falls. Addressing hearing loss is an essential part of maintaining your overall health.
Contact Lowe Audiology Today for Tinnitus Treatment
At Lowe Audiology, we understand how frustrating tinnitus can be for patients. There’s no reason to continue dealing with the symptoms when our hearing care professionals are available to help patients throughout Fort Wayne, IN and the surrounding areas. We take hearing health care seriously, starting with a comprehensive approach to determine the cause of your tinnitus and how to properly treat it.
The hearing care providers at Lowe Audiology offer all the services you need under one roof, from custom hearing protection solutions to professional hearing aid fittings. We have years of experience serving patients throughout the region. Contact us today to learn more about tinnitus testing and treatment, or schedule an appointment online for a one-on-one consultation at one of our hearing care centers.