The Role of a Hearing Specialist in Tinnitus Management

Tinnitus is a common issue affecting hearing. Some cases of tinnitus are temporary and may be caused by an underlying condition such as an ear infection. Other times, tinnitus may be chronic and is often linked to hearing loss. There is no cure for tinnitus, but the symptoms can be managed with the right treatment. Hearing specialists play an important role in tinnitus management, providing options to diagnose and treat tinnitus. If you have any symptoms of tinnitus, arranging a hearing assessment should be the first step that you take.

What is Tinnitus and What Causes It?

Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition characterized by hearing sounds that have no external cause. This can include buzzing, ringing, humming, static, whooshing and various other noises. Tinnitus might be a temporary symptom caused by something such as an ear infection or earwax buildup. Once these underlying causes are addressed, it can reduce your symptoms of tinnitus. However, tinnitus may also be more permanent. It is often linked to hearing loss, so it’s important for people with tinnitus symptoms to have their hearing tested.

There are fewer common causes of tinnitus, including some diseases. For example, Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that may cause tinnitus symptoms. Some other problems that could cause tinnitus include eustachian tube dysfunction, changes to the bones in the ears, muscle spasms in the ear, problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the jaw and acoustic neuroma.

The Link Between Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

When tinnitus is caused by hearing loss, which is often age-related, it is due to the tiny hair cells in your cochlea being damaged. These hair cells move when the ear receives sound waves, sending electrical signals to your brain, which interprets them as sound. When the cells are damaged, it can cause random electrical impulses to be sent to your brain, even when there are no external sounds to cause them.

This link between hearing loss and tinnitus means that it is important to get your hearing tested if experiencing symptoms of either. A hearing health professional can carry out the necessary tests to check your hearing health and determine if your tinnitus could be linked to hearing loss.

How is Tinnitus Treated?

Some cases of tinnitus can be treated by treating the underlying condition. For example, if tinnitus is caused by a buildup of excess earwax, removing the wax can reduce your tinnitus. However, tinnitus is often caused by other factors, and use different treatment options.

Hearing loss and tinnitus can be treated. Treating hearing loss is, in fact, one of the ways to treat tinnitus. And one of the most common ways to treat hearing loss is with hearing aids. Hearing aids don’t restore perfect hearing, but they are designed to amplify the right sounds and help with processing sound. Hearing aids can help the inner ear and brain to interpret sound more accurately, reducing the symptoms of tinnitus. Your hearing health professional might recommend a tinnitus masking feature to reduce your symptoms of tinnitus.

Tinnitus can be treated with noise suppression, which helps to cover up tinnitus sounds and provide a distraction. This can be in the form of white noise machines, which are especially useful at night.

Counseling is also an option for people who have tinnitus. Tinnitus can often cause anxiety and negative reactions to the tinnitus itself. Counseling can help you to change the way you react and how you think about your symptoms. It could include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), which combines both sound masking and therapy. Your hearing health professional will provide the best solution for you based on the cause of your tinnitus.

How a Hearing Specialist Can Help

Getting in touch with a hearing health professional can help you start addressing any issues you are experiencing with tinnitus. You will be able to determine possible causes and ensure you have a correct diagnosis. When your tinnitus is linked to hearing loss, it’s essential to get a diagnosis and the right treatment for both the hearing loss and tinnitus. Your hearing health professional will help you with hearing aids, sound masking and other treatment options that can help to relieve the symptoms of tinnitus.

Are you or a loved on experiencing tinnitus? Schedule an appointment with one of our hearing health professionals at Hearing Solutions Inc. Call us at (701) 566-7280 to speak to a member of our friendly team.