One of the main emotions we see when patients come in for a Tinnitus appointment is worry. Patients often ask, “what is causing the ringing/buzzing in my ears?” or “what is causing the sounds to get louder?”. If this sounds like you, you are among the 50 million or more Americans who have Tinnitus (noises in your head that no one else can hear).
A quick internet search will show you, there are many reasons why you can get Tinnitus.
While Tinnitus is something you hear, it is not always caused by a hearing issue. Non-hearing related Tinnitus causes include:
- Tension in the jaw or TMJ
- High blood pressure
- Certain medications
- Dehydration or a change in electrolyte levels
- Kidney dysfunction
Tinnitus treatment should include looking at any changes you have made to your diet, medication, or lifestyle.
There are many reasons why you may have Tinnitus that are related to the ears, including:
- Ear canal blockage due to wax buildup
- Fluid behind the eardrum
- Inflamed passages that cause a change in pressure in the middle ear
- Damage due to loud noise
- Problems with the auditory nerve
Many sources of Tinnitus can be addressed by your ENT doctor or other medical provider. Often, Tinnitus is not caused by something medically wrong. In fact, a major reason why people become aware of their Tinnitus is due to emotional or physical stress.
Tinnitus may be there in the background but is too soft for you to notice it unless you concentrate. Then, after an emotionally or physically stressful event, the Tinnitus becomes more noticeable. This is because when our body experiences stress, it’s harder to ignore bothersome things. For example, things that didn’t bother you before, such as the feeling of your socks on your legs, become noticeable and you may find yourself adjusting the socks to reduce the discomfort. When it’s not as simple as pulling up your socks, such as ringing in your ears, the lack of control over how to make yourself more comfortable can become distressing.
Get Tinnitus Relief from an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor and Audiologist
Whether you are just beginning your research on Tinnitus, have tried over-the-counter treatments, or have been told for years to “learn to live with it,” you probably know that it is hard to treat Tinnitus on your own. Thankfully, there are different treatment options available to help you access the relief you seek.
Wherever you are in your journey, if you have bothersome Tinnitus, start by making an appointment for a comprehensive hearing test and Tinnitus evaluation with an ENT doctor and audiologist.
Try to remember when you first noticed the Tinnitus and what else was going on in your life at that time. This information can help your hearing specialist decide the best treatment plan for you.
