Understanding Tinnitus: Causes and Symptoms

Dealing with tinnitus (constant ringing in your ears) can be challenging. The good news is Dr. Tara Johnston of Signature Hearing & Balance, located in Richmond & La Grange, TX, can help patients navigate tinnitus and manage their condition effectively. The article below will discuss how to deal with the effects of ringing in your ears.

What Is Tinnitus? 

A constant ringing in the ears is not an actual medical condition; it can be the side effect of several medical conditions. You hear sounds that could entail clicking, buzzing, humming, or ringing.

The sounds can also be at any volume, from barely noticeable to loud noises that can keep you from enjoying your daily activities. This condition is common, most often affecting those between 40 and 80.

Over 10% of the world’s population has experienced some version of tinnitus at one point. Here are the leading causes of ear ringing.

• Loud Noise—Repeated loud noise can cause hearing loss. This would be from continued experiences over many years, such as loud music, fireworks, or your job.
• Natural loss—Your body can experience natural hearing loss over the years. The stimulation of sound to the ear is higher when you are younger; as you age and you are less active, causing less stimulation of sound, the ear nerve will still operate at a high rate, causing you to hear sounds that don’t happen.
• Ear Issues—According to Signature Hearing & Balance, located in Richmond & La Grange, TX, repeated infections or ear canal blockages from ear wax can cause tinnitus.
• Ear Injury—Trauma and injury to either ear or injury to the nerves or surrounding area can cause ringing that may not subside. You will only get ringing in the affected ear.
• Medications—Certain medications, such as NSAIDS or antibiotics, can cause temporary ringing in the ears.
• Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus can cause ringing in the ears. 

Treatment for Tinnitus 

Treatment depends on what has caused the original ringing in the first place. Sometimes, the ringing may be reversed if it is something like medication. Otherwise, if you already have tinnitus, treatment will be great for helping you during outbreaks of ringing.

White noise machines and earplugs can help cut down on the ringing. Our doctor can also help with side effects such as depression and anxiety.

Ringing in your ears can come and go and can be triggered by stress or a lack of self-care. Knowing what triggers your tinnitus can go a long way toward decreasing future outbreaks.

Help for Tinnitus!

Call Dr. Johnston at 866-714-7495 at Signature Hearing & Balance in Richmond & La Grange, TX, to schedule your tinnitus consultation appointment today.