What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus (“TIN-a-tus” or “Tin-EYE-tus”) is the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source of sound is present. Tinnitus is commonly described as “ringing in the ears.”
Facts about tinnitus
- 1 in 5 adults have tinnitus
- 50 million people in the United States experience tinnitus
- 2 million of them suffer with more severe ringing of the ears
- #1 service-connected disability for veterans
Common causes of it
- Severe head injury
- Exposure to noise
- Meniere’s disease
- Hearing loss
- Anemia
- Certain medications
- Earwax build-up
- High stress
Tips for dealing with it
- Make sure to seek advice from an Accent ENT physician and Audiologist to help determine cause and possible medical intervention to treat your tinnitus.
- Review medications with your physician to see if they contribute to tinnitus.
- Treat hearing loss with amplification.
- Avoid silence. Background noise will divert the mind. Accessories such as noise generators can help to minimize the perception of the sound.
- Minimize stress.
- Remove the “spotlight” from tinnitus. Focus on other, more important things.
- TMJ and skeletal or muscle issues of the head and neck may contribute. Consider diagnosing and treating these with the appropriate professional.
- Reduce salt, caffeine and alcohol. Dehydration can increase tinnitus.
Precautions against tinnitus
- Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises. Loud noises can trigger a ringing of the ears.
- Use hearing protection in workplaces or environments which are noisy.
- Use hearing protection such as ear plugs or ear muffs at concerts, loud sporting events, (speedway, drags, hunting, etc).
- Reduce/minimize exposure to daily noises such as lawn mowers, chain saws, air hammers, hair dryers, etc.
- Discuss potential ototoxic medications with your physician and closely monitor your hearing if taking any of these medications.
The doctors at Audiology by Accent have a tremendous amount of experience with the Gainesville community. Their knowledge and experience, in combination with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, allows our doctors to provide excellent quality of care in their respective specialties. Contact today to schedule your appointment. (352) 271-5373 Or Toll Free: (877) 329-9360