Have you ever experienced an annoying ringing or buzzing in your ears? If so, you’re not alone. According to the American Tinnitus Association, about 50 million Americans experience some degree of tinnitus. For some, tinnitus symptoms are only temporary. If you’ve ever attended a loud concert and noticed a ringing in your ears afterward, you’ve likely experienced temporary tinnitus. For others, tinnitus symptoms are ongoing and make working, studying, and sleeping difficult tasks.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, help is available. Let’s explore what tinnitus is and how Flex Audiology can support you with professional hearing care and hearing aids for tinnitus management.
What Is Tinnitus and What Causes It?
Tinnitus is defined as any sound in one or both ears that isn’t caused by an external source. Many people describe the sound as a ringing, buzzing, low hum, or a high-pitched constant tone. Tinnitus is generally a symptom of something else in the brain or body that is affecting the auditory system, but this doesn’t always mean that it’s due to an underlying disease.
Many things can cause tinnitus, such as:
Loud noise exposure – from a single event or long-term exposure
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Certain medications
We tend to think of tinnitus as the problem, instead of looking for the root cause. Tinnitus is a symptom of something else, so when we find the root cause, it makes putting the right treatment plan together easier.
What Happens during a Tinnitus Assessment?
Prior to a tinnitus assessment, you will fill out a questionnaire to help us determine when you first noticed the condition, its potential causes, and how tinnitus is affecting your overall well-being.
Next, we will conduct a hearing test to determine whether hearing loss is associated with your condition. Your audiologist may also perform a tinnitus matching evaluation. Tinnitus matching involves playing common tinnitus sounds to determine the pitch and intensity of your tinnitus. At the end of the assessment, you will leave with a professional treatment plan.
Treatment Options for Tinnitus
The best treatment options for tinnitus will depend on the underlying cause. Flex Audiology specializes in tinnitus management, so there are many ways we can help. Our team uses a variety of strategies, including maskers and hearing aids for tinnitus treatment.
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective methods for helping individuals adapt to and cope with their condition. With the right treatment and support, our tinnitus patients live happy and fulfilled lives.
Do Hearing Aids Help with Tinnitus?
Many individuals with tinnitus also have some type of hearing loss. For those people, hearing aids can be an effective treatment to improve hearing and reduce tinnitus symptoms. Some hearing aids utilize masking technology, which works to minimize the noise from tinnitus by amplifying background sounds or adding acoustic therapy.
Professional Hearing Care and Hearing Aids for Tinnitus in Lawrenceburg and Harrison
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, I encourage you to schedule a tinnitus evaluation to determine whether it’s something that can easily be treated. The right treatment plan will address every aspect of a person’s tinnitus—emotional, cognitive, and attentional—and will help you quickly get back to living life the way you want to.
To schedule a tinnitus assessment, complete the form on this page and a friendly member of our team will be in touch with you. Or, call us at (812) 532-3011 with any questions you have about tinnitus care for yourself or a loved one. We look forward to hearing from you!
