Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
One of the most common complaints at Hearing and Brain Centers involve ringing in the ears.
Tinnitus (pronounced tin·ni·tus or tin-night-us) is defined as a sensation of sound in the ears, sometimes throughout the head. Each person with tinnitus has a different sound experience.
For most, it is described as a ringing sound, but many patients also report shooshing, buzzing and whooshing sounds — similar to what can be heard in a conch shell.
Too many people dismiss the ringing, when in fact this sound essentially represents an internal alarm.
Whether the tinnitus is constant, only noticeable in a quiet room or at night, pulsating or triggered (i.e., exercise or caffeine), it is important that the root cause of the problem be determined and a proper treatment plan be implemented.
For more information on tinnitus, click here to request a free copy of Dr. Darrow's book, or call (435) 383-5411.
Understanding tinnitus: The numbers and the science
It is currently estimated that nearly 50 million American adults live with tinnitus. Some people only notice their tinnitus in a quiet room, whereas many others experience the sound all day long — and it can interfere with daily life.
In some people, the sound can even cause depression, anxiety and affect concentration.
Hearing and Brain Centers of America can help. A doctor of audiology is able to dig deeper into the symptoms, recognize the individual's tinnitus triggers and have a full understanding of the patient's hearing profile, along with cognitive function testing. They then provide a complete audiological and cognitive evaluation.
Most common causes and triggers of tinnitus
The most common cause of tinnitus is damage to the sensory organ of hearing, the cochlea (i.e., the inner ear).
The cochlea is to hearing what the eyes are to vision. Within the cochlea are tiny "hair-like" cells, called hair cells. When these cells are damaged, the nerves that connect the hair cells to the brain become impaired or damaged, often causing ringing.
The most common cause of damage to hair cells is aging. As a comparison, when people get older, their vision deteriorates, especially in low-light environments. Unfortunately, the same process happens in the ears with age: People often notice a decline in their hearing, and sometimes experience tinnitus.
Other causes of tinnitus that result in hair cell damage include excessive noise exposure — either a single intense noise (like a shotgun blast) or long-term exposure either from work or play (often found with musicians, concert attendees, carpenters, machinists, landscapers, etc.).
Tinnitus can also result from physical trauma to the head or neck. A car accident or fall, for example.
A smaller percentage of tinnitus cases are the result of other medical conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure), acoustic neuroma (tumor on the hearing nerve), thyroid disease, vascular disorder, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, ear infection, impacted cerumen (ear wax), nutritional deficiency, aneurysm, and multiple sclerosis.
Prescription drugs, supplements and over-the-counter drugs can also exacerbate hearing issues and tinnitus.
Ironically, several hundred drugs listed in the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) cite tinnitus as a side effect. Sometimes a simple adaptation can greatly improve the situation.
Understanding more causes and triggers
For many patients, the ringing can be virtually undetectable until a certain trigger ramps up the volume of the sound. Below is a list of additional triggers:
- Loud noise: The use of power tools, guns, motorcycles, noisy vacuum cleaners, etc., all should warrant the use of hearing protection. While the ringing that occurs after exposure to loud sounds and concerts may seem temporary (often referred to as the "hearing hangover"), the damage is often permanent.
- Excessive use of alcohol or recreational drugs can exacerbate tinnitus in some individuals.
- Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, chocolate and most cola drinks, can also increase tinnitus. Like most things in life, moderation is key. The nervous system stimulant can ramp up neural activity and change the brain's perception of sound. Fortunately, this is a simple fix – reduce consumption.
- Nicotine has a direct effect on the vascular system. Changes to the vascular system, where damage is often permanent, results from exposure to nicotine, particularly smoking, which can decrease blood flow to the ears. That reduced blood flow can have a direct effect on the health of the cochlea and hair cells. This impact can lead to a "suffocation" of required oxygen to the ear and thereby compromise neural connections to the brain; thus, resulting in tinnitus.
- Stress: Managing stress is certainly easier said than done for most people — but that doesn't eliminate the importance of making accomodations. While very little is understood about how stress impacts the body, tinnitus could likely be improved when measures are taken to reduce stress.
It's complicated
It is understandable why answering the question "What is causing my tinnitus?" can be rather complicated. Many get so frustrated and give up, only later to seek help, when irreversable damage is done.
The urgency to find answers cannot be overstated.
For more information on tinnitus, click here to request a free copy of Dr. Darrow's book, or call (435) 383-541.
Understanding tinnitus: Treatment options
Unfortunately, many patients believe that there is nothing that can be done about their tinnitus. Is it indeed too late?
The answer is emphatically "no." Are there valid, FDA-approved treatment options available to reduce, and in some cases, eliminate, the ringing? That answer is yes. Although there may be irreversable damage, it's likely answers from a licensed professional can lead to improvement, sometimes dramatic.
Tinnitus and NeuroTechnology
The single most effective treatment option available for patients suffering with tinnitus is NeuroTechnology. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a treatment that systematically stimulates the brain.
And while most people with tinnitus also suffer with hearing loss, that is not always the case. Fortunately, NeuroTechnology has been designed for people with hearing loss and with audiometric "normal hearing."
Many studies show that patients who use this technology have a significant reduction in their daily tinnitus experience — with some even reporting that the "ringing is gone all day."
Take action today
If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus, now is the moment to invest in a future of clarity and vitality.
Contact Hearing and Brain Centers of America today to learn more. The team is prepared to conduct thorough evaluations and guide patients through the enrollment process, guiding them on a wellness journey for life.
For the most up-to-date information on hearing loss or tinnitus, visit hearingandbraincenters.com.
To learn more about tinnitus, visit SilencetheSounds.com.
For hearing loss education and ways to prevent further decline, visit HBCABookOffer.com.
Take the first step. Call (435) 383-5411 to request a book, get your questions answered or schedule an appointment!
