Tinnitus

Ear and head noises are probably the most common complaints presented to hearing healthcare professionals.

Occasional tinnitus is not at all unusual and is reported by 90 to 95% of the population, even in the absence of any ear disease or hearing disorders. Tinnitus becomes a problem for some when it's loudness so overrides normal environmental sounds that it invades the consciousness.

The patient experiencing tinnitus may describe the sound as a ringing, roaring, hissing, whistling, chirping, rustling, clicking, buzzing or some other similar term or description.

Causes of tinnitus may include outer ear disorders, middle ear disorders, inner ear disorders and central nervous system disorders.

The perceived loudness of tinnitus may be loud enough for some to be highly debilitating. The tinnitus itself may cause or be aggravated by difficulty sleeping, fatigue, difficulty relaxing, decreased ability to concentrate, increased levels of stress, depression and irritability. The good news for those with tinnitus is that something can usually be done to help!

Treatments providing some relief for select patients include masking, surgery electrical stimulation, biofeedback, acupuncture and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment. There is no effective drug that alleviates tinnitus completely. Research studies are being done to test the effectiveness of meditation, or mindfulness training, for tinnitus sufferers. Mindfulness practice helps people separate the physical sensation of the ringing from all the anxiety, thoughts and emotions about the ringing. And this helps them heal.