Tinnitus management | Meenakshi Speech and Hearing Aid Center

Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn’t caused by an external sound, and other people usually can’t hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people and is especially common in older adults. Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury, or a problem with the circulatory system. Meenakshi Hearing Aid Center provides information about Tinnitus management. 

Symptoms

Tinnitus is most often described as a ringing in the ears, even though no external sound is present. However, tinnitus can also cause other types of phantom noises in your ears, including:

• Buzzing

• Roaring

• Clicking

• Hissing

• Humming

Most people who have tinnitus have subjective tinnitus, or tinnitus that only you can hear. The noises of tinnitus may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears. In some cases, the sound can be so loud it interferes with your ability to concentrate or hear external sound. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go.

In rare cases, tinnitus can occur as a rhythmic pulsing or whooshing sound, often in time with your heartbeat. This is called pulsatile tinnitus. If you have pulsatile tinnitus, your doctor may be able to hear your tinnitus when he or she does an examination (objective tinnitus).

Risk factors

Anyone can experience tinnitus, but these factors may increase your risk:

• Loud noise exposure – Loud noises, such as those from heavy equipment, chain saws and firearms, are common sources of noise-related hearing loss. Portable music devices, such as MP3 players, also can cause noise-related hearing loss if played loudly for long periods. People who work in noisy environments — such as factory and construction workers, musicians, and soldiers — are particularly at risk.

• Age – As you age, the number of functioning nerve fibers in your ears declines, possibly causing hearing problems often associated with tinnitus.

• Sex – Men are more likely to experience tinnitus.

• Tobacco and alcohol use – Smokers have a higher risk of developing tinnitus. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of tinnitus.

• Certain health problems – Obesity, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, and a history of arthritis or head injury all increase your risk of tinnitus.

Complications

Tinnitus affects people differently. For some people, tinnitus can significantly affect quality of life. If you have tinnitus, you may also experience:

• Fatigue

• Stress

• Sleep problems

• Trouble concentrating

• Memory problems

• Depression

• Anxiety and irritability

• Headaches

• Problems with work and family life

Diagnosis

Your doctor will typically diagnose you with tinnitus based on your symptoms alone. But in order to treat your symptoms, your doctor will also try to identify whether your tinnitus is caused by another, underlying condition. Sometimes a cause can’t be found.

To help identify the cause of your tinnitus, your doctor will likely ask you about your medical history and examine your ears, head and neck. Common tests include:

Hearing (audiological) exam

During the test, you’ll sit in a soundproof room wearing earphones that transmit specific sounds into one ear at a time. You’ll indicate when you can hear the sound, and your results will be compared with results considered normal for your age. This can help rule out or identify possible causes of tinnitus.

Tinnometer

The MedRx Tinnometer provides a whole new approach to tinnitus assessment. Confidently tracks tinnitus with tools designed specifically for tinnitus. Track changes in tinnitus easily with NOAH™ sessions. Generates customized reports specific to tinnitus assessments meeting Medicare requirements.

Tinnometer Features

• Control the Level, Shape & Frequency

• Customized Stimulus and Reports

• Test Time Under 10 Minutes

• Save and Recall Sessions

• Quickly Pitch Match

• Testing Up To 16 kHz

• HID device – True Plug and Play

• NOAH™, TIMS®, Blueprint OMS and Sycle Compatible

Movement

Your doctor may ask you to move your eyes, clench your jaw, or move your neck, arms and legs. If your tinnitus changes or worsens, it may help identify an underlying disorder that needs treatment.

Imaging tests

Depending on the suspected cause of your tinnitus, you may need imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans.

Lab tests

Your doctor may draw blood to check for anemia, thyroid problems, heart disease or vitamin deficiencies.

Do your best to describe for your doctor what kind of tinnitus noises you hear. The sounds you hear can help your doctor identify a possible underlying cause.

• Clicking – This type of sound suggests that muscle contractions in and around your ear might be the cause of your tinnitus.

• Pulsing, rushing or humming – These sounds usually stem from blood vessel (vascular) causes, such as high blood pressure, and you may notice them when you exercise or change positions, such as when you lie down or stand up.

• Low-pitched ringing – This type of sound may point to ear canal blockages, Meniere’s disease or stiff inner ear bones (otosclerosis).

• High-pitched ringing – This is the most commonly heard tinnitus sound. Likely causes include loud noise exposure, hearing loss or medications. Acoustic neuroma can cause continuous, high-pitched ringing in one ear.

Source: https://speechhearingaid.com/tinnitus-managment/