The buzzing in your ear keeps getting worse. At first, you could barely hear it. But after spending all day at the construction site (for work), you’ve realized just how noisy (and how relentless) that buzzing has become. These sounds can take many forms, such as ringing, buzzing, or any number of sounds. You don’t know if you should contact us or how ringing in your ears could even be addressed.
The origin of your tinnitus symptoms will significantly establish what approach will be most suitable for you. But your own tinnitus treatment will share some common threads with others that can help you get prepared.
What type of tinnitus do you have?
Tinnitus is incredibly common. There can be a variety of causes for the ringing (or whatever tinnitus sounds you’re hearing). That’s why tinnitus is normally split into two categories when it comes to treatment:
- Medical Tinnitus: Some tinnitus symptoms are caused by an underlying medical issue, such as an ear infection, excessive earwax, or a growth, among other conditions. Managing the underlying medical issue will normally be the priority of your medical professional.
- Non-Medical Tinnitus: “Non-medical” nomenclature is usually reserved for tinnitus caused by damaged hearing or hearing loss. Severe, constant, and chronic tinnitus can be the outcome of hearing damage related to long term exposure to loud noise (like at your construction site). Non-medical tinnitus is often more difficult to treat.
The best way to manage your symptoms will be determined by the root cause of your hearing problem and the kind of tinnitus you have.
Treatments for medical tinnitus
If your tinnitus is related to a root medical condition, it’s likely that treating your initial illness or disorder will alleviate the ringing in your ears. Here are a few treatments for medical tinnitus:
- Surgery: Doctors may decide to perform surgery to remove any tumor or growth that could be causing your tinnitus symptoms.
- Hydrocortisone: Certain kinds of infections will not respond to antibiotics. For example, antibiotics never work on viral infections. Hydrocortisone may be prescribed in these cases to treat other symptoms.
- Antibiotics: Your doctor may prescribe you with antibiotics if your tinnitus is caused by a bacterial ear infection. Once the infection clears up, it’s likely that your hearing will return to normal.
You’ll want to make an appointment to get a consultation so we customize a tinnitus treatment plan, particularly if you’re coping with medical tinnitus.
Non-medical tinnitus treatment options
The causes of non-medical tinnitus are frequently a lot more difficult to detect and treat than is typically the case with medical tinnitus. There is usually no cure for non-medical tinnitus (especially in situations where the tinnitus is caused by hearing damage). Treatments, instead center around treating symptoms and improving the quality of life.
- Medications: Tinnitus is in some cases treated with experimental medication. As an example, tinnitus symptoms can sometimes be decreased by combinations of anti-anxiety medication and steroids. But before you make any decisions, you’ll want to speak with us.
- Noise-masking devices: Often referred to as “white noise machines,” these devices are made to provide enough sound to decrease your ability to hear the buzzing or ringing due to your tinnitus. Certain sounds can be programmed into these devices depending on what noises your tinnitus is generating.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: You can get training that will help you learn to ignore your tinnitus sounds. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a widely used method created to help you reach just that.
- Hearing aids: If your tinnitus becomes more prominent as your hearing diminishes, a hearing aid may help you control the symptoms of both conditions. When you are dealing with hearing impairment everything outside gets quieter and that can make your tinnitus sounds seem louder. When you utilize a hearing aid it raises the volume of the outside world making your tinnitus sounds seem quieter.
Find what works
In order to successfully treat your hearing problems you will most likely need to explore several approaches as the exact cause of your tinnitus probably won’t be obvious. In most cases, tinnitus can’t be cured. But there are numerous treatments available. The trick is identifying the one that works for you.
