Hearing a ringing in the ear is common; in fact, experts estimate that as many as 15% of Americans experience tinnitus. Understanding which type of tinnitus you are experiencing can help you seek the right treatment to help you finally find relief.
Below is a breakdown of the types of tinnitus.
Types of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a disease itself. It can be present in one or both ears and can range in pitch and frequency. There are two types of tinnitus.
Subjective Tinnitus
This is the most common type of tinnitus. It describes when only you can hear the ringing, buzzing, humming or whistling in your ears.
Objective Tinnitus
This type of tinnitus, which is also known as pulsatile tinnitus, is very rare and occurs when both you and your doctor can hear the ringing in your ears. It is usually caused by abnormal blood flow or pressure.
Causes of Tinnitus
There are a number of conditions commonly associated with tinnitus, including:
- Hearing loss.
- Excess or impacted earwax.
- Acoustic neuroma.
- Ototoxic medications.
- Head trauma.
- Infection of the middle ear.
- Meniere’s disease.
- Otosclerosis.
Additional conditions that do not directly involve the auditory system but may contribute to the severity of your tinnitus include depression, anxiety, stress, migraines, insomnia and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
Treatment for Tinnitus
If you are tired of having to determine if the ringing you hear is your tinnitus or bells from Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, you should make an appointment with an expert. Identifying the cause of your tinnitus is the first step your audiologist will take when putting together a treatment plan. Some are simple like switching your medication or removing excess earwax.
Unfortunately, for many, the cause of tinnitus will never be identified. If that is the case, your audiologist will put create a treatment plan that focuses on helping to make the ringing in the ear less distracting. Treatment options include:
- Sound therapy.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Counseling.
- Use of a hearing aid.
Lifestyle changes such as changing your diet and taking supplements don’t have any scientific evidence to back-up their claims. Research is being conducted on the efficacy of acupuncture as a potential treatment option.
To learn more about treating your tinnitus or to schedule an appointment with an expert, contact Hearing Systems today.