Tinnitus is a medical term for the perception of sound in one or both ears when no external sound is present. Often referred to as “ringing in the ears,” it can also sound like hissing, roaring, whistling, clicking or chirping. It can be occasional or constant, subtle or overwhelming. There are many causes and it’s estimated that 50 million American adults have tinnitus to some degree.
The actual mechanism responsible for tinnitus isn’t known yet, but we do know that it’s real, not imagined, and is a symptom that something’s gone wrong in the auditory or neural system. Loud noise, dental issues, head/neck injury, excessive caffeine use, nicotine, aspirin, some antibiotics and hundreds of other drugs can cause or exacerbate tinnitus. There is help available! One option to consider is hearing aids with and without masking features.
For further information and to see how tinnitus relief can improve your life, make an appointment your audiologist, or see one of our certified audiologists so we may best create an individual plan for your specific needs.
