The ears are a very complicated area in the body and unless you’re paying attention, you may not initially notice that there is a problem with your hearing. If you have ever experienced a hissing, buzzing or a constant tone in your ears, then there’s every chance that you have experienced a condition known as tinnitus. It’s a hearing condition that can have a huge impact on your life in ways that you didn’t imagine. Depression is not a joke, and yet hearing a constant high-pitched tone in your ears that doesn’t seem to go away can be the root of your depression.

Having concerns about your hearing isn’t something that you should wait around to get answers for. An appointment booked with an accomplished audiologist can help you to determine why you are experiencing tinnitus, and they can even give you the help that you need to reduce the sound that you are hearing at a constant level. According to the research, more than fifty million people suffer with tinnitus. These patients, of course, have a lot of questions about the condition, and here are three of those questions that are asked the most:

How did I get it?

It’s not something that happens overnight. Tinnitus is often the result of a build-up of damage over time, and you can develop it for several different reasons. Standing too close to speakers at a concert is one way for you to damage the inner ear – it’s particularly popular among rock stars out there. You can even get it on a temporary basis due to the buildup of wax in the ear. It’s not something that happens on its own, and there’s almost always an underlying medical reason that causes it in the first place. Don’t panic, though; an audiologist can work you through some tests to figure it out.

Should I get my hearing tested?

The short answer to this question is absolutely, yes, you should book an appointment with an audiologist. Unless, of course, you like the tinnitus that is keeping you up at night, but that’s highly unlikely. With tinnitus, you could find that you experience it temporarily and so wouldn’t need to get your hearing tested because of the noise, however, if your tinnitus lasts longer than three days, you need to speak to someone who can help. Your ears will work harder to hear noises outside your head if there is a problem, which can end up with you needing support to hear.

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

As of now, there is no known cure for tinnitus. There are several relief methods, including hearing aids, tinnitus retraining therapy and sound machines that reduce the noise and improve your overall hearing health.

If you are currently experiencing tinnitus, schedule your appointment with an audiologist as soon as you can.