Tinnitus And Its Treatment

Tinnitus is a common hearing-related problem in which you hear a sound—such as ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, clicking, or roaring—without an outside source producing it. It may affect one or both ears and can come and go or remain present throughout the day.

For some people, tinnitus is little more than an occasional annoyance. For others, it can make it harder to sleep, concentrate, communicate, or relax. The good news is that tinnitus can often be managed effectively, even though there is currently no single cure that works for everyone.

Tinnitus is surprisingly common. NIDCD estimates that about 10% of U.S. adults—roughly 25 million people—experience tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in a given year.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is not a disease by itself. It is usually a symptom associated with another change in the auditory system or surrounding structures.

Common causes and contributing factors include:

• Age-related hearing loss
• Noise exposure
• Earwax buildup
• Ear or head injuries
• Certain medications
• Jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems
• Changes involving blood vessels
• Other ear-related conditions

Many people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss.

That is why simply trying to “cover up” the ringing may not address the whole problem.

How Is Tinnitus Diagnosed?

The first step is a detailed evaluation rather than guessing at the cause.

A hearing professional may ask:

• When did the tinnitus begin?
• Is it in one ear or both?
• Is it constant or intermittent?
• What does the sound resemble?
• Does it affect sleep or concentration?
• Has your hearing changed?
• Have you experienced significant noise exposure?
• Does moving your jaw, neck, or head change the sound?

A diagnostic hearing evaluation can identify hearing loss and provide important information about your auditory health. Mayo Clinic also notes that a hearing or audiological examination is commonly part of tinnitus evaluation.

At Excel Audiology, patients with tinnitus can receive a detailed hearing evaluation as part of determining the most appropriate next step.

What Is the Treatment for Tinnitus?

There isn’t one treatment that works for every person. The right approach depends on your hearing, symptoms, medical history, and how much tinnitus is affecting your daily life.

1. Treat an Underlying Cause

If tinnitus is related to something treatable—such as excessive earwax, a medication, or another ear condition—addressing that issue may reduce the tinnitus.

2. Hearing Aids

If you have hearing loss along with tinnitus, hearing aids may be helpful.

By making environmental sounds easier to hear, hearing aids can reduce the contrast between everyday quiet and the tinnitus and may make the tinnitus less noticeable. ASHA recognizes appropriately fitted hearing aids as an option for people with hearing loss and bothersome tinnitus.

Excel Audiology provides personalized hearing aid selection and fitting, with technology selected according to hearing loss and individual listening needs.

3. Sound Therapy

Soft background sounds—such as gentle environmental noise, a fan, or a sound generator—may make tinnitus less noticeable, particularly in quiet environments or at bedtime.

Sound therapy can be used as part of a broader tinnitus-management plan, although evidence varies between different sound-based approaches.

4. Counseling and Behavioral Strategies

Tinnitus can become more distressing when it starts affecting sleep, concentration, mood, or daily activities.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other counseling approaches can help people change their response to tinnitus and reduce the distress it causes. Current audiology guidance recognizes CBT as an important management option for persistent, bothersome tinnitus.

Can Tinnitus Be Cured?

There is currently no universal cure for tinnitus, but many people can reduce its impact through appropriate evaluation and management.

The goal is not always to make the sound disappear completely. In many cases, successful management means making tinnitus less noticeable and less disruptive to everyday life.

Be cautious of products or supplements marketed as a guaranteed “cure.” NIDCD notes that vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements have not been proven to cure tinnitus.

When Should You Have Tinnitus Evaluated?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if tinnitus is:

• Persistent or becoming more noticeable
• Affecting your sleep or concentration
• Associated with hearing difficulty
• Present mainly in one ear
• Starting after significant noise exposure
• Interfering with conversations or daily activities

Pulsatile tinnitus, especially when the sound seems synchronized with your heartbeat, deserves medical evaluation because it can sometimes have an identifiable underlying cause.

Tinnitus Treatment in Royal Oak, MI

If ringing or buzzing in your ears has become part of your everyday life, you don’t have to simply ignore it.

Excel Audiology in Royal Oak, MI, provides diagnostic hearing evaluations and tinnitus-focused care. Smita Singh, M.S., CCC-A, has practiced audiology since 2002 and is an ASHA-certified audiologist.

A good starting point is a comprehensive hearing evaluation to understand your hearing and determine what may be contributing to your tinnitus.

Excel Audiology
32121 Woodward Ave, Suite 203
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Phone: 248-549-9035