When to Seek Treatment for Tinnitus

You've likely experienced tinnitus at some time or another. Even if you aren't currently experiencing that annoying and distracting buzzing, ringing or humming in your ears, it's likely that you have a recent memory of it. Tinnitus is a fairly common condition. It can occur whenever we've been exposed to loud noise and then go into a quiet environment (like when you first step out of a live concert). It can just as easily occur when you've had one too many lattes during a stressful workday or if you've been snacking on salty treats throughout the day. In some cases, tinnitus can even be the symptom of a genetic condition like Meniere's disease.

In most cases, tinnitus comes and goes fairly quickly. However, when it persists, it's highly advisable to consult with your preferred audiologist to seek treatment. It's important to remember that tinnitus is always a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a problem in and of itself.  The trouble with many of the root causes of persistent tinnitus is that they rarely go away of their own accord.

As such, you should seek treatment for tinnitus when:

You get a new job that involves working in a noisy environment

Regular exposure to loud noise can cause persistent tinnitus. Over time, it can also compromise your hearing and even result in permanent damage. If you're about to start working with heavy machinery or working in a noisy environment, your audiologist can recommend appropriate ear protection so that you can go about your duties without fear of long-term damage to your ears.

They will be able to recommend ear protection that prevents damage to your ears yet still allows you to hear enough to perform your duties and excel in your job.

You experience a loss of balance or feelings of vertigo

If you find that your tinnitus is accompanied by intermittent loss of balance or feelings of nausea and vertigo, there may be several reasons for this. They may point to an inner ear infection or even a genetic disorder like Meniere's disease, which afflicts 600,000 people in the US alone. It is an incurable condition, but it can be treated with anything from medication and lifestyle changes to hearing aids and sound machines.

Your hearing seems to be getting progressively worse

If your hearing seems to be getting worse as a result of your tinnitus, it's important to remember that tinnitus does not cause hearing loss. Nonetheless, they are often common symptoms of an underlying issue. An audiologist can help by providing an instrument that can restore your hearing while keeping tinnitus at bay.

How your audiologist can help

By carrying out hearing tests and ear examinations, an audiologist can help to identify the cause of your tinnitus and implement an effective solution such as ear protection or a hearing instrument.

One thing's for sure. The longer you leave tinnitus unchecked, the worse the underlying cause will get. Make an appointment with an audiologist today to say goodbye to tinnitus for good.