Tinnitus, most commonly found to be for unknown reasons, is a condition where there is an abnormality in the functioning of the inner ear. Other contributing causes of ringing in ears can also include aging (presbycusis), hypertension (hypertension), loud noise (hyperacusis), stress, anxiety, or depression. There are several possible symptoms that can be experienced by patients with tinnitus. These symptoms can include a clicking sound in the ears, dizziness, hearing loss, increased sensitivity to sounds, or imbalance in the hearing mechanisms in the inner ear. Treatment can involve improving the patient’s lifestyle and reducing exposure to tinnitus-causing stress, medications, or therapies. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, hypnosis, meditation, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback can also be recommended.
Common causes of tinnitus include a build-up of wax in one ear, or a build-up of earwax that block the auditory nerve. One of the most common ways to relieve the symptoms is by placing one ear in a bucket of water, then placing the other ear on a towel in order to reduce the pressure in the inner ear. This technique, called tympanometry, can also allow a doctor to determine the severity of your tinnitus and recommend treatments.
When it comes to treating a symptom, there are two major groups of treatment – those that are used for common causes, such as wax buildup in one ear or a common cause of noise-induced hearing loss, and those that are used for rare or uncommon causes, including tinnitus. For wax buildup, a doctor may recommend that you use a special cleaning agent that prevents the buildup of hard deposits in the ear. For a common cause of noise-induced hearing loss, a doctor might recommend that you wear earplugs. There are some over-the-counter devices available as well.
Two other treatments that you can get from your doctor or dentist to treat your ringing in ears are drug therapy and acupuncture. Acupuncture is often used to treat circulatory problems, but it has been known to help with other health conditions, too, such as stress and depression. Drugs, such as aspirin, which are commonly used to treat allergies and asthma, have been known to relieve the symptoms of ringing in ears, too. Sometimes, the drug medications and the acupuncture work so well that the person ends up not using the drugs at all. For this reason, the drug medications are usually taken for life.
The last treatment that we will discuss is called conductive hearing loss, which refers to damage caused by exposure to loud noises. This can range from short-term effects, such as a ringing in ears, to permanent changes, such as severe tinnitus or permanent brain damage. For this symptom, one may use a device called an acoustic neural interfueller (ANSIF) to produce sound waves that are directly transmitted to the inner ear. Another option is to wear a device known as a cochlear implant, which produces sound within the ear without damaging the nerves.
Ringing in ears can be a very annoying symptom of several health problems. Many people experience this symptom on occasion. If you experience it continuously and need a treatment, you should see a doctor. You should not let your condition go untreated because it could lead to further health problems. When you have ringing in ears, you should avoid exposing yourself to loud noises. You should take care to use protective gear if you do experience constant exposure.
This content was originally published here.