4 FAQS About Tinnitus

Tinnitus is often understood as the “ear ringing” problem that can range from almost unnoticeable to incredibly annoying. Tinnitus can be caused by a number of different conditions, so it’s important to visit a trained and qualified audiologist that is willing to help you diagnose and treat the condition. To help you out, we’ve put together 4 of the most common questions that people ask regarding tinnitus. This is to give you a better understanding of the condition and to answer any potential questions that may be on your mind.

Is tinnitus a sign that I’m losing my hearing?

No. Tinnitus is frustrating to deal with and can often be linked to hearing loss, but it’s not the only reason that you could be hearing the ringing noises in your ear. Tinnitus is the result of tiny hairs in your inner ear being damaged. When this damage occurs, it can send strange signals to your brain that turn into the noises you hear when suffering from tinnitus. Damage to these hairs can be the result of exposure to loud music, it could be caused by certain medications and there’s also a possibility that stress is the problem. Since there are so many possible causes, it’s best to see a qualified audiologist to help you get to the root of the problem so that you can fix it.

Is it possible to mask the ringing in my ear?

Yes. Tinnitus can range from mildly annoying to frustratingly loud. If you feel like your daily life is being affected by the noises in your ear, then it’s possible to purchase special hearing aids that can mask the effects of tinnitus. This will give you back your freedom of hearing and allow you to continue your regular everyday activities. The best option is to visit an audiologist (you can receive a referral from someone at your medical practice) to have them help you pick a suitable pair of hearing aids to mask the sounds you experience from tinnitus.

Is tinnitus a chronic condition?

Tinnitus can be a chronic condition depending on the individual. Roughly 50 million people in the United States alone suffer from chronic tinnitus that lasts longer than 6 months. Around 25-30% of those individuals have severe tinnitus that is loud enough to actually affect their daily activities, which is why they tend to rely on hearing aids to mask the effect.

Can tinnitus be cured?

Tinnitus can be cured if you’re able to find the root of the problem. When tinnitus occurs due to age-related or noise-induced hearing loss that cannot be reverted, masking is one of the best options to hide the sound you experience. However, if your tinnitus is diagnosed as a symptom of something else such as an ear infection or stress, then it’s best to find the route of the problem so that you can deal with it directly.