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Tinnitus: What It Is, And How We Can Help.
Tinnitus can come as an alarming and irritating phenomenon to some people. It is typically described as the perception of noise in the ears. The noise can present itself in a few different audible forms including ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing. Tinnitus isn’t considered to be a condition; rather it is usually a symptom of another underlying condition. It has been associated with many psychological conditions, typically developed after patients begin suffering from the symptom. These conditions include anxiety, depression, sleep issues and hypochondria.
There are several possible causes of tinnitus.
The most common causes include (but are not limited to):
• Age-related hearing loss
Natural hearing loss is known to cause tinnitus in some individuals. This typically starts around the age of 60.
• Exposure to loud noise
You may sometimes notice the symptom of tinnitus following short term exposure to loud noise, such as being at a concert or listening to loud music. Typically the tinnitus will subside after a period of time in these cases. However long term exposure to loud noise can cause permanent tinnitus.
• Ear canal blockage
Natural hearing loss is known to cause tinnitus in some individuals. This typically starts around the age of 60.
• Changes in ear bone growth
You may sometimes notice the symptom of tinnitus following short term exposure to loud noise, such as being at a concert or listening to loud music. Typically the tinnitus will subside after a period of time in these cases. However long term exposure to loud noise can cause permanent tinnitus.
Although tinnitus is usually caused by one of these conditions it can also be caused by other rarer conditions, some being quite serious. If you experience sudden tinnitus that is unexplainable it might be wise to consult a practitioner or family doctor.
While tinnitus can be treated in some cases it is not considered to be curable most of the time. The use of masking devices has been shown to be quite successful with tinnitus patients. These devices are designed to be worn just like hearing aids and simply produce a low-level white noise that suppresses the symptoms of tinnitus. Hearing aids have also been known to help alleviate tinnitus; this option is especially helpful if you have hearing problems as well.