Do you often hear ringing or other similar noises in your head, such as buzzing, roaring, or hissing? Do these noises interfere with your daily life, making it challenging to relax or focus? If so, you may have ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, a condition in which you hear sounds when there is no outside noise.
One of the first signs of tinnitus is hearing a certain type of noise that seems to be only heard by you. It’s commonly referred to as “phantom noise” because no one else can perceive the noise you are hearing. Tinnitus noises may vary from buzzing, and ringing, to a high-pitched tingling sound.
Harbor City Hearing Solutions audiologists in Melbourne, FL, offers comprehensive hearing diagnostics and tinnitus evaluations.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus might be present all of the time or it can come and go. Ringing in the ears may be classified into two categories.
The first and most common type is tinnitus which only you can hear. It can be caused by the exterior, middle, or internal ear issues. It can also be caused by problems with your auditory nerves or a certain component of your brain that converts nerve information into sounds (acoustic paths).
A more uncommon type of ringing in the ears is linked to a capillary problem, a middle ear bone ailment, or abnormal muscle tightening in the affected area.
How common is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a widespread problem that affects 15 to 20% of the population. Ringing in the ears isn’t an issue in and of itself, but it can be a sign of something more serious, such as age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), ear damage, or a circulatory system illness. Tinnitus, while annoying, is usually not an indication of anything serious.
Because these noises are often considerably more discernible when background noise is minimized, you may discover that the ringing in your ears is much more obvious in the evening when you’re attempting to sleep or when you’re in a tranquil environment.
What causes tinnitus?
Ringing in the ears is caused by a variety of factors, including ototoxic medications, ear infections, Meniere’s disease, earwax buildup, diabetes, hypertension, and head and neck traumas. Many people who suffer from tinnitus also have hearing loss. Other tinnitus-related health issues include insomnia, stress, clinical depression, anxiety, and hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to certain regularities of noise and volume ranges).
Some triggers of tinnitus are less common; ringing in the ears can be an early indicator of Meniere’s disease, an internal ear illness caused by abnormal internal ear liquid pressure. Ringing in the ears can also be caused by problems with the temporomandibular joint, located where your lower jawbone hits your skull.
Vestibular schwannoma is a non-cancerous (benign) tumor that arises on the cranial nerve connecting your brain to your inner ear. This issue frequently causes tinnitus, especially in just one ear. The tube in your ear linking the middle ear to the upper neck remains open at all times with this disease, which can cause your ear to feel full.
First Signs of Tinnitus: When To See an Audiologist
If you are experiencing ringing in your ears accompanied by hearing loss, please seek immediate help from an audiologist. They can perform a hearing test to check your hearing and also carry out a physical exam to check if there is a physical problem in your ears that might be causing the tinnitus.
Tinnitus Evaluation and Treatment in Melbourne, FL
Tinnitus, while not a significant health issue, maybe annoying and debilitating.
Consider how your hearing impairment affects your life if you have persistent tinnitus. It may have a huge impact on your well-being, impacting your mental state, anxiety, sleeping habits, capacity to focus, and much more.
Every instance has unique symptoms, causes, and personal discomfort, therefore it is critical that you consult with your audiologist as soon as you experience first signs of tinnitus. Audiologists can develop a treatment plan that can address your specific requirements and concerns.
A hearing evaluation would be worthwhile in terms of both time and money. You may discover more about what is causing your tinnitus symptoms and potential treatment options by seeing an audiologist and getting your hearing checked. Sometimes treating a specific underlying cause is beneficial. Other methods aim to minimize or hide the sound, keeping the symptoms less noticeable.
Harbor City Hearing Solutions provides professional tinnitus evaluations and treatment in Melbourne, FL, and nearby locations.
Contact us today to schedule a tinnitus evaluation in Melbourne, FL.
