Tinnitus |
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| Do you have a buzzing, ringing, chirping, or mechanical noise in your ear? This noise is called tinnitus. Tinnitus often accompanies even a mild hearing loss and can be lessened with amplification and the use of hearing aids. Tinnitus (TIN-ne-tus or tin-NY-tus) is a sound in your ear or head that is not in the environment. People sometimes describe it as sounding like hissing steam, an electrical hum or crickets. It is often more noticeable when you are in a quiet environment, particularly when trying to sleep. It may be present some of the time or all of the time. The reaction to the sound differs from one person to the next. It can be barely noticeable - it can be quite intrusive. It is estimated that 15% of the population suffers from some form of tinnitus. About 3% of the population have it to a severe degree. The cause of tinnitus is often unknown. Tinnitus may be associated with the aging of the ear. Tinnitus may start with excessive noise exposure or may be a side effect of medications. Some conditions intensify tinnitus and may be treatable, such as earwax against the eardrum, fluid within the middle ear, or fixation of the middle ear bones. Occasionally, tinnitus is associated with diseases of the inner ear. Tinnitus may be the first sign of an acoustic neuroma. Tinnitus which pulsates, pounds, has a repetitive whooshing sound or clicks rapidly may be a different form of tinnitus and should be reported to your doctor. If you have sudden onset of tinnitus or a change or worsening of your tinnitus, you must inform your doctor.
While no single therapy has reliably made tinnitus go away, there are ways to minimize this annoying problem. |
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Alliance ENT Main Office: 845 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 Phone: (401)331-9690 Fax: (401) 331-9609 Email: Office@alliance-ENT.com ~ Please Note, this is for general information only, not medical emergencies |
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