What is Tinnitus?

The ringing, hissing, buzzing, whistling, or humming sensation that occurs in a person’s ears without the presence of any external stimuli is known as Tinnitus. A common problem, tinnitus affects about 1 in 5 people. Tinnitus isn't a condition itself — it's a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder. The extent of Tinnitus can range from a mild ringing sensation to a severe roaring sensation. It is important to note that Tinnitus can also occur temporarily as a result of stress or fatigue, but this type of Tinnitus does not have any significant detrimental effect on people.

Types of Tinnitus

• Subjective tinnitus is what is more commonly considered when we talk about tinnitus. It refers to a phantom ringing that only you are able to hear while no one else can. This can occur due to problems in either the inner, middle or the outer parts of your ear. It can also be caused due to damage to the auditory nerves within the brain which are responsible for deciphering sound.

• Objective tinnitus is a strange phenomenon since it can actually be heard by not only you but even by your doctor when they examine your ear. This particularly rare category of tinnitus results from a problem in your blood vessels, irregular muscle contractions, or problems within the bone structure of your inner ear.

Tinnitus Diagnosis & Treatment

At Suburban Hearing Aid Center, our hearing specialist offers comprehensive, personalized tinnitus treatment options. We will go through your medical history and do a full ear exam including a hearing evaluation to better understand what caused the ringing in your ears and what makes it worse. This will help us determine which tinnitus management options are right for you.