Tinnitus is a leading cause of hearing loss and interference, affecting millions of Americans each year. Understanding the condition will let you know when to seek guidance from audiologists and how to protect your ears from further damage. Below are answers to several of the most common questions about tinnitus to help you get started.

An Overview of Tinnitus

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus refers to the disembodied or unexplained presence of noise in your ears. It can manifest as sounds like ringing, buzzing, or roaring in one or both ears. These noises may be loud, quiet, high-toned, or low-toned. The hearing loss and interference it causes can make it difficult to go about daily tasks like working, sleeping, socializing, or relaxing. As a result, tinnitus can lead to distress and negative health effects.

What causes it?

Tinnitus is a symptom of a disease or ailment rather than a disease itself. Many factors can cause it, including age-related and noise-related hearing loss, high blood pressure, ear obstructions, anxiety and stress, trauma to the head or neck, Lyme disease, anemia, and even TMJ. Only a licensed medical professional can provide an accurate diagnosis as to the cause of your tinnitus.

Can it be prevented?

Since many conditions can cause tinnitus, prevention isn’t always possible. Taking care of your body to reduce your chance of developing health conditions related to tinnitus — like noise-induced ear damage, high blood pressure, and excessive stress — is a good approach. Take steps to reduce noise damage to your ears, too, such as wearing hearing protection and not listening to music or television at high volumes.

What are the treatment options?

While there is no cure for tinnitus, treatment options include learning to cope with the noise, drowning out the noise, and managing existing health conditions that contribute to it. Medications may also be prescribed to limit any emotional distress it causes you and to help you sleep.

A quality audiologist can diagnose the cause of your tinnitus and provide treatment if it’s related to hearing loss. At Augusta Audiology Associates, PC in Fishersville, VA, you’ll receive the gold standard in ear care from a dedicated team of professionals. For over 20 years, they’ve provided high-quality individualized care with an emphasis on each patient’s unique needs, from tinnitus management to hearing protection to hearing aids. Learn about their tinnitus care options online, and call (540) 332-5790 to start hearing more clearly today.