5 FAQs About Tinnitus

If you think you have tinnitus, or you have recently been diagnosed with the condition you may have some questions about what it is and what it means for your life. Does it mean you’ll need to get hearing aids and do you need to see an audiologist? Here are some FAQs about tinnitus that will help you understand the condition.

What is tinnitus?

You may be wondering what tinnitus is. Realize firstly that this is a condition, not a disease and currently there is no cure for tinnitus. It is described as a condition that causes you to hear a noise from inside your ear. In rare occasions, someone examining your ear may be able to hear this noise, and in this case, it is being caused by a physical issue like an abnormality in the ear.

What causes tinnitus?

There are various different causes of tinnitus. You might develop the condition if you are losing your hearing or if you have frequently been exposed to loud noises. Ear infections, illnesses, and diseases can also result in the development of tinnitus. Tinnitus can even be a sign of an aneurysm if the noise caused by it matches your heart beat. To discover the cause of the condition, you need to explore how it is impacting your hearing. If it is coming and going, then it is probably due to your lifestyle and the loud noises that you are exposed to. If it is constant, it may be due to a loss of hearing.

Is it serious?

It is important to understand that tinnitus is not always serious. It depends on the extent of the condition and how much it is impacting you. As stated, if it matches your heartbeat, it can be a sign of a serious problem. But the tinnitus itself is not the issue. Tinnitus is not life threatening but it can be the first sign that you are losing your hearing and it may get worse. The sound that you can hear can also get louder until you can barely hear anything over it. If this does occur, then it is worth speaking to your audiologist about hearing aids.

Can it be treated?

There may be no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment options. Hearing aids can be used and are one of the most effective options. Hearing aids will block the sound that you can hear or minimize it and may allow you to focus your hearing on what you want to listen to. The tinnitus is still there, but it won’t be as distracting. Sound therapy may also be used to treat tinnitus though will typically not be as effective as using a device.

How do I know I have it?

Tinnitus can be apparent in a number of different forms. It can be constant or recurring, and it can involve a number of different sounds from buzzing to whirring and whistling. If you can hear a sound that other people cannot, and it follows you wherever you go, there is a good chance you have some form of tinnitus and you should contact an audiologist about treatment.