If you experience frequent ringing in the ears, whether loud or just barely audible, you might have a condition known as tinnitus. Tinnitus, frequent ringing in the ears, can be caused by a number of issues. Most people who live with it have jobs that necessitate spending long hours around loud machines, such as jackhammers and industrial equipment. If can easily be experienced by musicians, due to the often extremely high decibel ranges they perform with. Although it’s usually associated with hearing loss, there are other reasons for it. These include head injuries like whiplash and an extreme buildup of earwax. It might also be a side effect to a medication. Thankfully, ear ringing treatment options exist.
How is Tinnitus Treated?
One of the key benefits to being treated for tinnitus can be discovered during the diagnosis process. This is an opportunity to become aware of any underlying conditions that might be causing the ringing or buzzing noises in your ears. If there aren’t any underlying conditions, it’s an opportunity to think about how loud noises might be affecting your hearing. Turning down the volume on your headphones, wearing earplugs at work and otherwise avoiding loud noises for extended periods of time can only benefit you.
Ringing in the ears can also be a symptom of hearing loss caused by old age and the deterioration of structures in the inner ear. Sometimes, the reason for it is never discovered. It can be permanent, or it can disappear quite suddenly on its own. There are several methods of ear ringing treatment, but ear wax removal is the most common initial treatment. Ear wax is removed through a process known as ear irrigation.
If you have high blood pressure, your tinnitus might be even more noticeable. The high pressure in your blood vessels might worsen the ringing sensation. This is when blood pressure medication might be useful for treating tinnitus.
Treatment with Noise Suppression
The hissing, ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear can be suppressed with white noise. This is the kind of noise that is audible, yet refined. Examples of this include the noise from fans and air conditioners. Turning your radio in between stations will also produce this kind of noise. We might have our patients wear devices similar to hearing aides that produce the same kind of noise.
Ear ringing treatment is not one-size-fits-all, and the right treatment for you can ultimately be determined during a consultation with our professionals at Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat Associates in Atlanta, GA. Contact our office today to book your appointment.