Are You Unable To Achieve Total Silence

• Posted on: Sep 15 2022
• By: Marissa Walker

If you hear a constant ringing or buzzing in your ears, even when there are no other sounds around you, you are not alone. Nearly everyone will experience this condition, known as tinnitus, at least once throughout their lives. While tinnitus can be severe and interfere with daily life, it is not always connected to hearing loss.

While many may know about tinnitus, some may be surprised to hear there are two types. The more common of the two, subjective tinnitus, is a ringing in the ear that only the patient can hear. Frequently, this is the result of being around loud noises or other outside factors but may indicate an internal issue with the ear structure.

Objective tinnitus, on the other hand, can be heard by a doctor during an auditory examination. While objective tinnitus is caused by similar factors, it more indicates damage or other issues to the structure in the middle ear, specifically the blood vessels or bones.

In both cases, tinnitus is diagnosed with specific tests and auditory specialists. Depending on the severity or type of tinnitus, these tests can range from a standard hearing exam to imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI. These tests are crucial for determining if any underlying conditions may be causing tinnitus symptoms.

Unfortunately, tinnitus is usually a result of aging or other factors that cannot be treated. The symptoms may come and go and vary in severity, but they do not always have an underlying condition. Even if this is the case, there are several ways to help alleviate the symptoms and reduce the disruption to your daily life.

Protection of your hearing will be the most beneficial. Wearing ear plugs or muffs around loud noises will allow your ears to relax. Also, try to avoid completely silent rooms. When reading, sleeping, or doing another activity that needs focus or no distractions, listening to sounds from nature, especially water sounds, will help keep tinnitus symptoms from distracting you.

If you would like to learn more about tinnitus or have concerns with your hearing, contact the ENT and Allergy Centers of TX, in the north Plano, TX area at 972-984-1050, or visit www.enttx.com to schedule a consultation, today.

Posted in: Tinnitus