Tinnitus…. Did You Ring?

One of the most common reasons someone comes to us is because of that nagging sound in their head. Perhaps it mimics the buzz of a bee, the chirp of a bird, or the swoosh of the ocean. As pleasant as those analogies may sound, tinnitus can be very disruptive and anxiety-provoking to its recipients. Typically tinnitus is not medically serious, but it is worthwhile to have it addressed by an audiologist to explore its underlying cause.

Common causes of tinnitus

1. Cerumen (wax) build up in the ears. Removal of such debris can provide an instant reduction of tinnitus while also improving hearing and keeping the ears clean.
2. Noise exposure. Too close to the fireworks in July? Or, perhaps a history of recreational or work-related noise exposure, such as motorcycling, music, or machinery? This type of tinnitus may be fleeting, but be aware that extended time around loud sounds can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Custom hearing protection may be just what the doctor ordered!
3. Medications. Some medications have unwanted side effects, and your audiologist may recommend you seek a medical ENT provider to review your medications and explore your options.
4. Hearing loss. Certain types and degrees of hearing loss have a strong association with tinnitus. A full audiological work up will be encouraged to determine if hearing loss is the likely culprit. There are many digital hearing aid and amplification options that can help alleviate tinnitus woes.
5. Caffeine, nicotine, and other triggers in excess have also been documented to increase tinnitus.

If you are experiencing tinnitus, please contact our office and schedule an evaluation! Once the root of your tinnitus is established, our team of audiologists will work with you to find ways to mask, retrain, habituate, or overall cope with lingering tinnitus. It may be as peaceful as musical meditation at bedtime, so please take care of yourself and seek our approachable and personalized services today!

Call us (630) 357-5287, or email us at info@napervillehearing.com to schedule a free hearing evaluation.