Have you ever heard a ringing sound when no outside sound is present? Then you’ve experienced tinnitus – the perception of noise in the ears. For some this is a temporary annoyance, but for others it’s a life-changing condition.  

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus isn’t a condition itself. Instead, it’s a symptom of an underlying problem such as an ear injury, circulatory disorder, or from age-related hearing loss. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, and although it is annoying, tinnitus usually isn’t a sign of a serious condition. 

Myth vs Reality

Many believe tinnitus is temporary. Some forms are caused by recent exposure to loud noise and go away quickly, but other forms last longer or occur with regular frequency. Some people think that tinnitus is a modern condition caused excessively loud music players. Loud music does negatively affects hearing, but people have suffered from tinnitus since ancient Egypt. Research even suggests the great Beethoven complained tinnitus phantom sounds, so it’s a condition humans have dealt with for centuries. 

Subjective Tinnitus and Objective Tinnitus

More than 99 percent of tinnitus cases are the subjective variety. Subjective tinnitus sounds are only perceivable to the individual and usually are an auditory or neurological reaction to hearing loss. 

Objective tinnitus is considerably rarer and are noises an examiner can hear. These sounds are usually created by internal body functions near the ear.

Tinnitus Sounds

Although people refer to tinnitus as “ringing in the ears,” it can actually manifest in a variety of pulsing and tonal sounds. People report hearing different sounds ranging from ringing, pulsing, whooshing, screeching, ocean waves, and even music. 

Tinnitus Types

Tonal tinnitus can be perceived as continuous or overlapping sounds with well-defined frequencies. Tonal tinnitus is usually associated with the subjective variety.The volume of the tinnitus patients experience varies by individual. 

Also known as Musical Ear Syndrome, musical tinnitus is rare. People experiencing this form perceive hearing singing or music. 

Then there’s patients who experience pulsatile tinnitus. These are pulsating sounds, that are often in-beat with patient’s heartbeats.

Causes

There are numerous potential causes behind tinnitus. Common catalysts include exposure to loud noises, a small ear wax plug in the ear canal, or aging. More serious causes include damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve, thyroid problems, or a head injury. Tinnitus can also be a side-effect to certain medications like aspirin, sedatives, and antibiotics. Seek out a doctor to learn more about your specific case. 

Treatment

Currently, there isn’t a scientifically proven cure for most cases of chronic tinnitus. However, there are treatment plans available to help patients manage their condition. The treatments, although not a clinical cure, help reduce tinnitis’s perceived volume and omnipresence for patients. Seek out medical advice before using any listed treatments. If you’re in the Jersey area, a clinic healthcare center in Carneys Point, NJ can provide more information. 

Drug Therapies

There are dietary supplements like those found on www.tinnitus911.com that may help patients reduce tinnitus symptoms, but it’s important to remember there aren’t FDA-approved drugs for this condition. 

Some patients suffer from depression and stress brought on by the burden of tinnitus. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs help patients manage these conditions for a happier life. It’s important for tinnitus patients to manage their stress because negative emotions worsen perception and feeling of the condition. 

White Noise

Tinnitus is more apparent in quiet environments, so some sufferers struggle with falling asleep. Mask the inner ringing by counterbalancing it with another noise source like a ticking clock or a fan. White noise machines can be bought online and in specialty stores to help patients sleep peacefully. 

Tinnitus can feel frustrating, but patients can live a fulfilling, comfortable life thanks to various treatment options available.