Peninsula Hearing Center (619) 569-1937 San Diego, CA (858) 768-0454 La Jolla, CA

Tinnitus

If you hear a ringing in the ears that

others cannot hear, you may have

tinnitus. Almost everyone has

experienced this ringing, at least short-

term. Many experience long-term issues with this disorder that

are very bothersome.

This subjective perception of sound inside your head may be

described as ringing, roaring, buzzing, chirping, pulsing, or

whooshing. It may be present in both ears or only one ear at all

times or only sometimes. Hearing loss may or may not be

associated with this ringing. Research is conflicting over the direct

cause. Determining the cause of your symptoms may not be

possible. Treatment options, however, are available, even if the

cause is unknown.

You are not alone. Many people suffer from at least a mild ringing

at some time or another. This is not an imaginary disorder!

Normal hearing and hearing impaired persons may contend with

this issue. Those who experience this ringing on a more regular

basis may be more greatly affected by its psychological and social

effects than others. Quiet activities (e.g., reading, writing, etc.)

may be extremely difficult in the presence of this noise.

While the cause is difficult to pinpoint, some potential causes

have been identified, including: noise exposure, hearing

impairment, head or neck injury and trauma, migraines, ear canal

obstructions, hypertension, vascular disorders, anemia, Meniere’s

Peninsula Hearing Center (619) 569-1937 San Diego, CA (858) 768-0454 La Jolla, CA

disease, tumors, and even excessive use of caffeine or nicotine.

Some medications considered ototoxic may also trigger

symptoms.

While stopping the noise may be impossible, the symptoms may

be treated. After a thorough medical and hearing health history

and evaluation, your physician or audiologist will discuss your

treatment options. Possible related medical conditions (as in

those listed above) may be treated first to see if the symptoms

decrease. If the symptoms continue, noise suppression or sound

desensitization therapies may be advised. Basic techniques may

be recommended, including playing background noise (e.g.,

music, fans, noise machines). This background noise may help to

suppress the perception of the internal noise to tolerable levels.

Hearing aids or noise generators may be worn to also reduce the

perceived noise. Tinnitus Retraining therapy programs that slowly

acclimate the patient to the noise or Neuromonics devices may

also reduce symptoms.

If you are experiencing difficulty related to “noise in your head”,

call a hearing healthcare professional today. Professionals are

waiting to help you get through this! Contact your audiologist or

physician to learn about your tinnitus options!

Call us today or visit our website or watch our videos on YouTube.