Tinnitus
AKA Ringing in the Ears
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external sound present. The actual sound may vary. Some people describe it as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, pulsing, cricket chirp, seashell sound, or sometimes actual music. These noises are most often inaudible to other people (subjective tinnitus), but occasionally may be heard by others (objective tinnitus).
There are at least 200 different health disorders that can generate tinnitus, not all of which are directly related to your ears. Be aware that tinnitus is not a disease itself. It is a symptom like a runny nose, that lets you know there is an underlying condition.
Often there is more than one cause for tinnitus.
The most common causes for tinnitus are:
Hearing loss – although tinnitus can be present with no measurable hearing problem
Wax or debris in the ear canal
Head and neck trauma including tension in the jaw
What can you do about it?
The number one recommendation is to see an audiologist who can assess your hearing and assess your tinnitus needs. While there is currently no cure for tinnitus, treatment plans can help address the attentional, emotional and cognitive impact of tinnitus. As everyone experiences tinnitus differently, an individualized plan is the best option.
The impact that tinnitus can have on our life can vary from day to day. The Ida Institute has come up with a 3 question tool to help you communicate what your tinnitus is like to your health care professional.
For a description of our Tinnitus Assessment and Management services, click here.
