Tinnitus is One of the Most Common Health Conditions in the Country.
Most adults have experienced a temporary “ringing” in their ears following a concert, shooting a gun, or other events with overly loud noise levels. Typically, this ringing sensation dissipates within a few hours of the noise exposure. For some, though, the ringing, also known as tinnitus, doesn’t go away. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, close to 15% of the general public (45 million Americans) experience some form of tinnitus. Tinnitus can range in degree of severity from being a mild annoyance to a far more disruptive presence.
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not always a true ringing in the ears. Some have described their tinnitus as hissing, buzzing, or even clicking in one or both ears. Tinnitus in and of itself is not a disease: rather, it is a symptom from another health condition. Most frequently, tinnitus is present due to damage to the inner ear. An example of damage to the inner ear would be hearing loss. In fact, hearing loss is the number one trigger for tinnitus.
Beyond hearing loss, there are a variety of causes for tinnitus, ranging from excessive ear wax to a traumatic brain injury. There are over 200 possible causes for tinnitus. Additionally, prescription medications often list tinnitus as a possible side effect.
What Can Be Done for those Experiencing Tinnitus?
There is currently no scientifically proven cure for tinnitus. However, there are several treatment options available to help manage and cope with tinnitus. One such management option would be the use of hearing aids: a study performed in 2007 revealed that roughly 60% of tinnitus sufferers received relief from the ringing when wearing amplification.
There is also a variety of tinnitus training devices on the market that aim to help the individual cope with their symptoms through masking and/or habituation.
At Desert Valley Audiology, we understand how frustrating and involved of a problem tinnitus can be. If you are suffering from the crickets in your ears, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our experienced audiology team will help to relieve the symptoms of tinnitus through advanced management therapies and products.
Sources:
American Tinnitus Association
• https://www.ata.org/understanding-facts
• https://www.ata.org/understanding-facts/causes
• https://www.ata.org/managing-your-tinnitus/treatment-options/hearing-aids