Tinnitus Management
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external sound is present. While it’s commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears”, tinnitus can manifest many different perceptions of sound. In addition to ringing, tinnitus has been referred to as buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, clicking, and in some rare cases music. Tinnitus can be both an acute (temporary) or a chronic (ongoing) condition.
Who is affected by tinnitus?
Tinnitus affects 20% of Americans, and hearing loss occurs in 90% of those cases. Although tinnitus is generally associated with hearing loss, this is not always the case. Thirteen (13) million Americans report tinnitus without hearing loss.
What are some possible causes of tinnitus?
- Hearing Loss (age related and/or noise induced)
- Obstruction in the Middle Ear
- Head/neck trauma
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Ototoxic Medication
- Other Diseases and Medical Conditions
Although tinnitus can be caused by the conditions listed above, only a trained healthcare provider can appropriately diagnose any underlying causes of tinnitus.
Why seek treatment?
The impact of tinnitus varies from person to person and can be characterized from barely noticeable to incredibly debilitating. Tinnitus can impact mental health and social wellbeing. In addition, if tinnitus is accompanied by a hearing loss, there are additional health risks to consider.
Who can help me with my tinnitus?
While there is currently no way to objectively test for tinnitus, the professionals at Freedom Hearing Center can measure your subjective perception of tinnitus sounds, pitch, and volume. We incorporate additional testing alongside our comprehensive audiological evaluations for patients suffering from tinnitus. Once testing is completed, recommendations on treatment options will be provided.
If you are experiencing tinnitus, and want to know the level of impact please feel free to fill out our Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and bring it to your scheduled appointment. Call today for your tinnitus evaluation.
