Tinnitus
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the condition in which people experience sounds in their ears or head which do not have an external cause. The noise heard varies from person to person; ringing, buzzing, humming, clicking to even hearing a heartbeat like sensation. It can be quite debilitating when chronic and constant. It can affect one or both ears.
Causes of Tinnitus
It can result from a number of events and conditions:
- Exposure to loud sounds
- Head Trauma
- Ageing
- Can develop after a flu or infection
- Severe Stress
- Head or Ear surgery
- Impacted wax
- Acoustic Neuroma
Is there a cure for Tinnitus?
Unfortunately, not yet. No surgical procedure or medication can treat tinnitus. If the cause of tinnitus is due to wax impaction, microsuction ear wax removal can resolve symptoms. In the scenario where you also have hearing loss which requires hearing aids, the hearing aids can sometimes help mask out the tinnitus.
Tinnitus needs to be appropriately worked up. At ClearEar we will carry out an extensive history and examination and consider all potential causes. Arranging imaging such as an MRI is not uncommon and is protocol in those who have one sided tinnitus.
Living with Tinnitus
You are not alone. Tinnitus is a condition that affects many people. Tinnitus Éire provides fantastic information on their site that can help and support those who have persistent or debilitating tinnitus with no obvious cause.