Don’t Ignore The Ringing

Do you hear a ringing, roaring, clicking, or hissing sound in your ears? Do you hear this sound often or all the time? Does the sound bother you a lot? If you answer yes to these questions, you may have tinnitus (tin-NY-tus). Although tinnitus is common, it is not something that should be ignored. It can be a warning sign of a larger problem, and it can be treatable.

HOW CAN HEARCARE HELP WITH MY TINNITUS

• Managing tinnitus effectively involves several steps. First, you need a full evaluation by a Tinnitus Management Certified Doctor of Audiology. They will review your medical history and assess your tinnitus to find any underlying causes and decide on the best treatment.
• A thorough tinnitus evaluation includes checking your medical history, examining your ear, testing your hearing (outer, middle, and inner ear, and auditory pathways), and identifying and matching your tinnitus. It also includes a physical screen and standard tinnitus questionnaires.
• While there’s no cure for tinnitus yet, many strategies can provide significant relief. Since everyone responds differently, you might need to try several options to find what works best for you. HearCare focuses on creating personalized treatment plans.
• Tinnitus management strategies might involve treating hearing loss, using sound generators, Active Sound Training, or a tinnitus brain training program called OTO. We also offer tailored advice for common tinnitus symptoms like fatigue, stress, sleep problems, trouble concentrating, memory issues, depression, anxiety, and irritability.

For those seeking tinnitus management in Bradenton, Sarasota, or Venice, Florida, HearCare Audiology Center offers expert assessment and support.

WHAT IS TINNITUS?

Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. A common problem, tinnitus affects about 1 in 5 people. 48 million Americans have tinnitus. Tinnitus isn’t a condition itself – it’s a symptom of an underlying condition, such as hearing loss, ear injury, or a medical condition.

Tinnitus can sound very different to each person. The noise you hear may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears. In some cases, the sound can be so loud it can interfere with your ability to concentrate or hear actual sound. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go.

What Our Experts Say About Tinnitus:

“Over 90% of tinnitus cases are linked to hearing loss. When the brain stops receiving normal sound input, it may create its own noise- this is known as tinnitus. Consistent use of properly fit hearing aids has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments in managing tinnitus symptoms by restoring essential auditory stimulation.” -Arianna Bastys

RISK FACTORS

• Hearing loss. Most people who have tinnitus also have some kind of hearing loss. Most commonly associated hearing loss with tinnitus is noise induced hearing loss.
• Loud noise. Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Continued exposure can make the tinnitus and hearing loss get worse.
• Diet. Certain foods or drinks can cause your tinnitus to worsen.Some common healthy diet techniques known to help reduce tinnitus include: reducing sodium, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine intake. You also need to stay hydrated. Exercise can also help improve tinnitus symptoms by helping your cardiovascular health.
• Gender. Men are more likely to experience tinnitus, especially under the age of 70 when men are more likely than women to have hearing loss.
• Lifestyle. Smokers have a higher risk of developing tinnitus.Those who drink large amounts of alcohol or caffeine are also more likely to have tinnitus.
• Health Conditions: Conditions that effect your blood flow, such as high blood pressure or narrowed arteries(atherosclerosis) can increase your risk of tinnitus. Diabetes is another commonly associated illness.
• Cardiovascular problems. Conditions that affect your blood flow, such as high blood pressure or narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) can increase your risk of tinnitus.
• Medicine. More than 200 medicines, including aspirin, can cause tinnitus.  Generally, the higher the dose of these medications, the worse tinnitus becomes. Often the unwanted noise disappears when you stop using these drugs. Medications known to cause or worsen tinnitus include: some antibiotics and cancer medications, diuretics, certain antidepressants, or uncommonly high doses of aspirin. If you have tinnitus and you take medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine could be involved.
• Other Health Condition. Some causes of tinnitus are less common, including: Meniere’s disease, TMJ disorders, head or neck injuries, or acoustic neuroma. In rare cases, tinnitus is caused by a blood vessel disorder. This type of tinnitus is called pulsatile tinnitus. Causes include: Atherosclerosis, head and neck tumors, or high blood pressure. Your overall health also plays a role. For example, you are more likely to have tinnitus if you have diabetes or heart disease.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Hearing Aids: For most people, hearing loss is the main cause of tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Even a mild hearing loss can make your brain “hear” sound differently, leading to tinnitus. Treating your hearing loss is the first step in creating a plan to manage your tinnitus.
• Sound Therapy: Retrain your brain’s response to tinnitus effectively with sound therapy. This can be achieved using sound machines, phone applications with earbuds or headphones, or on-ear sound generators integrated into hearing devices.

• Oto Training Program: This online program, guided by your audiologist, offers a modern approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It empowers you to manage your tinnitus long-term by helping you control your response and minimize its impact.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Tinnitus Therapy: Work with a specialist in this therapeutic training to reduce your perception of tinnitus. While it takes time to learn effective management, this therapy has demonstrated long-term benefits.
• Active Sound Therapy: This personalized treatment strategy combines sound therapy, counseling, and relaxation techniques to reduce your perception of tinnitus.
• Counseling: Tinnitus can be accompanied by stress or anxiety. Our counseling services provide strategies and tools to help you manage your emotions related to tinnitus.
• Meditation: Learning relaxation techniques is highly beneficial if tinnitus causes frustration. Stress can intensify tinnitus perception, while relaxation allows for rest and improved coping. Many individuals find listening to music or guided meditation particularly helpful.
• Medical Management: Collaborate with other medical professionals to address underlying health conditions or symptoms linked to your tinnitus, such as anxiety, depression, TMJ, or chronic health disorders, through medication or other appropriate treatments.

THINGS TO TRY

• Listening Exercise. Focusing on music might help you forget about your tinnitus for a while. It can also help to mask the sound. Other people like to listen to recorded nature sounds, like ocean waves, the wind, or even crickets.
• Hearing Protection. Avoid being exposed to loud noises whenever possible. If you are a construction worker, an airport worker, or a hunter, or if you are regularly exposed to loud noise at home or at work, wear ear plugs or special earmuffs to protect your hearing and keep your tinnitus from getting worse.
• Communication Strategies. If it is hard for you to hear over your tinnitus, ask your friends and family to face you when they talk so you can see their faces. Seeing their expressions may help you understand them better. Ask people to speak louder, but not shout. Also, tell them they do not have to talk slowly, just more clearly.
• Monitor. Start paying attention to or keeping a record of when the tinnitus is most bothersome, what things make it better or worse, and how it is affecting your quality of life. Also pay attention to you sodium, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and water intake.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE TINNITUS

The first step is to see an Audiologist for an evaluation. A careful history and audiometric testing will lead to the most likely causes and best treatment for your tinnitus. You may be referred to an ear, nose and throat examination to complete the diagnosis.

Although there is no cure for tinnitus, Audiologists, scientists and doctors have discovered several treatments that may give you some relief. Not every treatment works for everyone, so you may need to try several to find the ones that help.

If you have tinnitus that bothers you, have tinnitus that occurs suddenly or without an apparent cause, have hearing loss or dizziness with the tinnitus, develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, and your tinnitus doesn’t improve within a week.

Tinnitus can significantly affect quality of life. Although it affects people differently, if you have tinnitus, you also may experience: Fatigue, Stress, Sleep problems, Trouble concentrating, Memory problems, Depression, Anxiety and Irritability.

If you are looking for Tinnitus treatment in Sarasota, Venice or Bradenton, Florida, HearCare Audiology Center is here to help.

HOW CAN HEARCARE HELP WITH MY TINNITUS

• • To effectively address tinnitus, the initial step is a comprehensive evaluation with a Tinnitus Management Certified Doctor of Audiology. A detailed medical history and thorough tinnitus assessment will aid in identifying potential underlying causes and determining the most appropriate treatment strategy.
  • A comprehensive Tinnitus Evaluation includes a meticulous review of medical history, otoscopic examination, audiological testing to assess middle ear, inner ear, and auditory pathways, along with tinnitus identification and matching procedures. It also incorporates a somatic screen and standardized tinnitus questionnaires.
  • While there is currently no known cure for tinnitus, various management strategies can provide significant relief. As individual responses to treatment vary, exploring multiple options may be necessary to identify the most beneficial approach. HearCare specializes in developing personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
  • Tinnitus can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Common associated symptoms include fatigue, stress, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, depression, anxiety, and irritability.
  • Tinnitus may also be indicative of an underlying health condition. It is recommended to schedule an evaluation if experiencing bothersome tinnitus, sudden onset tinnitus without identifiable cause, tinnitus accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness, or persistent tinnitus following an upper respiratory infection lasting longer than one week.
  • For those seeking tinnitus management in Sarasota or Venice, Florida, HearCare Audiology Center offers expert assessment and support.”