Tinnitus describes the condition where you perceive sounds that are not actually present in the environment. You may call it “ringing in the ears,” but it can also sound like a chirping, buzzing or whistling noise. No matter what you call it, chronic tinnitus can affect your quality of life.

Tinnitus Causes

Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition. It may be a medical condition, such as high blood pressure, ear infection or injury to the neck or head. Tinnitus can also be caused by sensorineural hearing loss, exposure to loud noise or damage to the inner ear.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 15 percent of Americans experience some degree of tinnitus; however, it’s more common in people over the age of 60.

Tinnitus treatment starts with identifying the underlying cause. Hinderliter Hearing Services can determine the source of your tinnitus and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Tinnitus Treatments

If the cause is not a curable medical or lifestyle condition, tinnitus treatments focus on improving the quality of life while learning to live with tinnitus. Tinnitus treatments include:

Hearing Aids: One of the most common causes of tinnitus is undiagnosed hearing loss. As aural input to the brain decreases, the brain and nervous system attempt to fill the gap with tinnitus sound. Once the hearing loss is identified and hearing aids increase auditory input, the tinnitus is decreased. Hearing aids also reintroduce background noises at their normal levels, and this can mask the tinnitus sounds.

Tinnitus Relief

If you experience tinnitus, contact Hinderliter Hearing Services for a complete exam and evaluation. If an underlying medical condition is discovered, you’ll be referred for treatment. If damage to your ears or hearing loss is the cause of your tinnitus, Hinderliter Hearing Services can recommend treatment to bring relief.