Tinnitus and You
Millions of people are very familiar with the effects and burdens that accompany tinnitus.
The symptoms of tinnitus include hearing ringing noises that are similar to whistling, hissing, chirping, and buzzing. Tinnitus can develop alongside age-related hearing loss, circulatory system issues, and ear injuries. Severe tinnitus may be so overwhelming that it can affect your ability to sleep and concentrate. This may hinder your ability to perform the tasks of daily living.
Common causes of tinnitus may include:
- Gradual hearing loss over time.
- Exposure to loud noises.
- An overabundance of earwax.
- Damage to the structure of the bones inside the ear
Other causes may include:
- TMJ disorder, a jaw condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull. This usually occurs due to a combination of factors, such as a jaw injury, arthritis, or genetics.
- Head and neck injuries.
- An acoustic neuroma, which is a tumor that can cause you to develop hearing loss.
- Meniere’s disease; a disorder of the inner ear. It can lead to hearing loss, vertigo, and dizzy spells. This usually only affects one ear in most cases, and may occur at any age, but it often starts between young and middle-aged adulthood.
There are varieties of blood vessel issues that are tied to tinnitus development:
- Atherosclerosis; which is a condition that stiffens and thickens the blood vessels that bring nutrients and oxygen from the heart to the other major arteries, which, as a result, restricts blood flow to organs and tissues.
- Blood flow turbulence.
- Neck and head tumors.
- Capillary malformation.
- High blood pressure.
It’s not uncommon to develop tinnitus from particular medications, which can include:
Tinnitus and Mental Health:
There has been a lot of talk surrounding tinnitus’ correlation with mental health issues. The mental health disorders that can be linked to tinnitus include anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, extreme anger, dementia, and schizophrenia. Understanding and being able to access your resources for your mental health is important. It is imperative to catch the signs of mental illness, so you can live your life to its’ fullest extent. Protecting your hearing may have a noticeable impact on your mental health, and as such, it is important to reiterate the importance of protecting your hearing.
Prevention
If you are frequently in a loud workspace or regularly attend concerts or other loud events, noise-cancelling earplugs are an absolute essential. Many people have also successfully fought tinnitus outbursts with the use of Limiting your exposure to loud noises and events in general is a great way to protect your ears. Additionally, maintaining any blood vessel conditions and managing your medications based on any potential tinnitus related side effects will make a noticeable difference.
When should I see a doctor?
Seek immediate medical attention if:
- You develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection (such as a cold), and it doesn’t improve within a week.
- Tinnitus occurs and develops suddenly or without an apparent cause.
- Hearing loss or dizziness accompanies your tinnitus.
Treatment
If you or someone you care about begins to experience any ear issues, hearing loss, or tinnitus, it is best to seek immediate medical attention. Make sure to receive appropriate treatment, and to prevent further deterioration of your symptoms. Healthpointe now offers audiology services at our Anaheim location. The audiology services at Healthpointe include tests, evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss, balance problems, speech problems, and other hearing disorders. Contact Healthpointe today to learn more about our audiology services and treatment options.
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