Tinnitus: What is it and how can you manage it?

What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common affliction that affects as many as 50 million Americans. The condition presents as an internal noise within your ear or head with no external source. For a lot of people, it is usually a ringing sound, but tinnitus can also present as a buzzing or whooshing.

What causes tinnitus?
Some medications can cause tinnitus; however, most people will find that the condition goes away once the drug is discontinued. Tinnitus that lasts continuously for more than six months is considered "chronic tinnitus".

How Do You Diagnose Tinnitus?
While you may suspect that you suffer from tinnitus due to the sounds you experience, a diagnosis must be made by a medical provider. We recommend a visit to your physician as early as possible to avoid any further complications from a delayed diagnosis.

So What Is The Cure For Tinnitus?
Unfortunately for those who suffer from severe or chronic tinnitus, there are no known cure - there are, however, a variety of treatments available to help manage and minimize the condition's impact.

According to Harvard Health, the most effective approaches are behavioral strategies and sound-generating devices, often used in combination. Treatment approaches include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
Cochlear Implants
Masking devices

While nothing is ever guaranteed, you can attempt to take preventative measures to lessen your risk of tinnitus. Start by protecting your ears from loud noises and keep a watchful eye on the volume levels of your phone, radio, or television.

Can I Prevent Tinnitus?
You should also avoid medications that may cause your tinnitus symptoms to occur and schedule regular hearing tests with your doctor to promptly detect any problems with the structure of your inner and middle ear.