Addressing Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the sensation of a ringing or hissing sound when no external sound stimuli are present within the environment. This sound can range from a chirping or clicking sound to a buzzing or screeching sound that may even sound like music. The frequency of the sound may be constant or sporadic, while the intensity of the sound can range from being subtle to significantly loud.

If you suspect that you have tinnitus, consult an Otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat doctor) as well as an audiologist to explore and eliminate any underlying medical illnesses. After this, educate yourself about the options that you have at your disposal and choose the treatment method you feel is best suited for your individual needs. Using earplugs can help provide auditory protection and help in containing your tinnitus so that it does not worsen. To gain more information about tinnitus you can join the American Tinnitus Association to keep yourself updated on current research and treatment methods.

You can prevent tinnitus from ever becoming a problem in your life through the use of protective earmuffs or earplugs when you expose yourself to loud environmental settings. It is important to note that several types of medications and herbs can also result in tinnitus, thus consult your medical practitioner and pharmacist if you are concerned about the potential side effects of your medication prior to your consumption.

People may be concerned about going deaf simply because they have tinnitus. This is not necessarily the case. Even though approximately 80% of those with tinnitus do have some form of underlying hearing impairment, several people with tinnitus have regular hearing. Tinnitus can often be revealed as a result of hearing loss since background sounds that were previously disguising the tinnitus tend to decline due to hearing impairment. This can help bring the existence of tinnitus to the surface.

People often wish to avoid taking medication and may wish to address their tinnitus using nutritional methods. Currently there is no existing research material on this particular subject, although certain anecdotal evidence suggests that tinnitus may worsen as a result of eating certain food items, such as salty, cheesy, or caffeinated food. Other food items likely to increase tinnitus include red wine and artificial sweeteners containing aspartame.

It is important to note that Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying problem elsewhere in the body. There may be damage to the ear or the auditory pathway that leads to your brain. It may also be a symptom of problems within the brain. Generally, tinnitus is believed to be idiopathic; this means that it is most likely to occur without any identifiable source. It is important to consult a medical practitioner to rule out any physiological ailments that may be causing tinnitus.