Those ringing, buzzing or humming sounds that only you can hear can make everyday activities challenging. Tinnitus affects millions of people – sometimes coming and going, other times more persistent – interrupting concentration during work, making conversations difficult and often disrupting sleep. Our skilled audiologists at Michigan Ear Institute of Ohio understand how these unwanted sounds can impact your quality of life and are ready to help you find relief.
Tinnitus varies greatly from person to person – some experience it occasionally or only in quiet environments, while others hear these sounds more frequently or intensely. Though tinnitus isn’t always preventable, effective management options exist. Through personalized evaluation and treatment plans, our audiologists help reduce the intensity of these sounds and their impact on your daily life. We work with you to understand your specific experience with tinnitus and develop strategies that address your unique needs.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the most common causes is exposure to loud noises, like listening to music at high volumes or working in noisy environments. Over time, this exposure can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to the perception of sound even when no external noise is present. Other causes include ear infections, earwax buildup or changes in the blood flow to the inner ear, which can interfere with hearing and result in tinnitus.
In addition to noise exposure, tinnitus can also be linked to underlying health conditions. For instance, age-related hearing loss is another major contributor, as the sensory cells in the inner ear naturally deteriorate with age. Certain medications, like antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, may also cause tinnitus as a side effect. Additionally, health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes or jaw alignment problems can lead to tinnitus symptoms. Identifying the specific cause of tinnitus is important, as treatment can vary depending on the underlying condition.
What Relief Options Are Available?
There are several treatment options available for managing tinnitus, with the goal of reducing the perception of sound or making it less noticeable. One effective approach is using hearing aids with masking features. These devices amplify external sounds while simultaneously generating a soft, pleasant noise that masks the tinnitus, making it less noticeable. Sound machines are also commonly used in similar ways, providing soothing background noises, like white noise or nature sounds, to help distract from the ringing or buzzing. Both hearing aids with masking features and sound machines can be particularly helpful in quiet environments where tinnitus may be more noticeable.
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is another option, which combines sound therapy with counseling to help individuals change their emotional and cognitive response to tinnitus. TRT aims to help the brain ignore the tinnitus signal by retraining the auditory system to treat it as unimportant. Often, a combination of treatments works best for managing tinnitus. For example, wearing hearing aids with masking features alongside sound therapy or TRT can provide both physical relief and psychological support, making it easier to cope with the symptoms. These tandem treatments allow for a personalized approach to tinnitus management, tailored to the individual’s specific needs.