Important Facts About Tinnitus

Millions of people of all ages across the United States are affected by tinnitus. While it’s most often a condition that’s experienced after the age of fifty, children, teenagers, and young adults can also be affected. 

The prevalence of tinnitus is frequently associated with hearing loss. However, tinnitus can often result from an ear infection, injury to the neck or head, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. It’s also believed that certain medications can contribute to tinnitus, such as diuretics and antibiotics.

The majority of people accept tinnitus as a normal phenomenon that causes occasional irritability. However, some people are severely impacted by the presence of tinnitus. While there is no cure for the condition with traditional medications, it is something that can be managed effectively. Failure to manage tinnitus effectively for those impacted can result in a decreased quality of life, including difficulty concentrating, sleeping, and performing well at work or school.

Diagnosing Tinnitus

In order to receive an accurate diagnosis of tinnitus, an evaluation and examination is required. In addition to a diagnosis, the underlying cause of the problem can be identified. There are many reasons why a diagnosis is valuable. The doctor you visit will want to know what type of noises you hear, whether there is any pain in your jaw, if you’ve had any recent illnesses, and whether there has been exposure to loud noises. There are different kinds of tests that can be used to understand what’s happening, such as imaging, comprehensive hearing tests and blood tests. There will likely be an examination of the neck, ear, head and other connected areas that must be assessed to understand what’s happening.

How Tinnitus is Treated

How tinnitus is treated will depend on the underlying condition, your age and other important factors. There’s a possibility that it will be treated by eliminating or switching medications, taking care of an ear infection or treating TMJ.  However, for many patients with hearing loss, the introduction of enhanced sound environment through appropriately fit hearing aids/ combination devices helps to reduce the awareness of their tinnitus.

The great thing about working with an experienced healthcare professional when dealing with tinnitus is that you can learn about the different options for relief. This is especially important for people who feel anxiety, depression or social isolation as a result of the condition.

About The Institute for Hearing and Balance

The Institute for Hearing and Balance is committed to helping patients improve their quality of life. Located in New York, they use the latest technologies and offer a comprehensive list of services that can help you get back to living an active lifestyle. Contact the Institute for Hearing and Balance for more information about tinnitus.