Tinnitus is a common hearing condition in the world today, and is when an individual experiences some noises or sensations in the ear. This sensation or noise may be buzzing, chirping, whistling, and ringing in one or both ears. The noise may vary in volume, be continuous, and worse when the background noise is low.
Although tinnitus is often related to hearing loss, it is not the cause of the hearing condition. Many people with tinnitus are sensitive to sound and have minor hearing difficulty. There are several causes of tinnitus in individuals, such as prolonged exposure to loud noises. To know more about tinnitus, keep reading this article.
Causes of Tinnitus
There are several causes of tinnitus. Contrary to some people’s beliefs, tinnitus is not the cause of hearing loss. However, consistent exposure to loud sounds over a long period is one of the most common causes. Some other causes of tinnitus are:
- An ear infection or buildup of wax in the ear often leads to a blockage.
- A disease known as Meniere’s disease affects the ear’s inner part, thereby causing tinnitus.
- Tinnitus is one of the significant side effects of some medications. Some of these medications are aspirin, loop diuretics, and antidepressants.
- Medical conditions are diabetes, anemia, thyroid gland, and high blood pressure.
- Neck or head injuries often affect the inner ear. These injuries mostly cause tinnitus in one ear only.
- When the middle ear bones stiffen, it may affect hearing and cause tinnitus.
How Does Tinnitus Impact The Daily Life of People Suffering from It?
A typical office environment will have a certain noise level that can be disturbing or uncomfortable to sufferers. People living with tinnitus often suffer from hyperacusis (an increased sound sensitivity). Tinnitus often disrupts the working life of the patient and leads to them giving up on their careers.
Tinnitus makes it hard for the patients to live a normal life because of the constant noise. This constant noise affects the day-to-day activities of the affected individual. The constant ringing or sensation in the ears is extremely bothersome, causing mental distress.
Challenges of People Suffering from Tinnitus
People who suffer from tinnitus have various challenges they face in their lives. These patients try to rebuild their lives and find relief from the condition. The several challenges people suffering from tinnitus include:
- Sleep cycles disruptions
- Negative thoughts [even suicidal thoughts]
- Increased irritability
- Communication issues
- Depression
- Regular fatigue
- Headaches
- Anxiety
Treatments of Tinnitus
Tinnitus improves when you treat the underlying cause to make tinnitus less noticeable. People suffering from tinnitus can undergo several available treatments to improve their living conditions with tinnitus. Some of these treatments are:
- Making use of hearing aids
- Removal of earwax blockage
- Change of current medication
- Treatment of a blood vessel condition
What is The Tinnitus Test?
A tinnitus test is conducted on the patient to determine how well the patient hears. It is often done in a soundproof environment to determine the intensity and pitch of the tinnitus. This test relies solely on the patient’s response and helps to identify the cause or underlying disorder that may need treatment. An audiologist often examines the patient’s ear to pick up on any infection or earwax blockage.
Final Thoughts
Tinnitus is a hearing condition that causes prolonged sounds such as ringing, buzzing, and chirping in the ear. People living with this condition have various daily challenges in their work or personal relationships. This condition often leads to lack of sleep, anxiety, fatigue, and depression. A tinnitus test helps determine and identify the cause of tinnitus in a patient.
If you suspect you are suffering from tinnitus, come into Eldorado Hearing to see how we can help you ease your discomfort.
info@ElDoradoHearing.com
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