Is Tinnitus a Temporary Inconvenience or a Permanent Condition?
Are you hearing a ringing, buzzing, or clicking sound in your ear? Odds are you’re experiencing tinnitus. If so, you’re not alone: 15–20 percent of people will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives. Tinnitus can interrupt your daily life and make concentrating on anything else a challenge. It can make working and sleeping feel like impossible tasks. If you’re suffering from this irritating condition, you may be wondering, “Is tinnitus permanent?” The good news is that some cases of tinnitus will resolve over time—and those that don’t can be managed. Our experts at Holland Hearing Center have been trusted by thousands of local people in Abilene. Our passion is helping people like you overcome troubling tinnitus. We’ll diagnose your case and provide proven, effective treatment options to help you alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of tinnitus.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom rather than a disease. In other words, no specific cause for the condition known as tinnitus has ever been discovered. The best we can do is describe what researchers have observed in relation to tinnitus. The majority of individuals who have researched tinnitus identify it as a neurological disorder in which sounds that do not come from any external source are produced inside your head and appear to originate in your ears. One prevailing theory, the Central Gain Theory, likens the sounds of tinnitus to “phantom limb syndrome,” in which amputees continue to experience nerve sensations from a limb that is no longer there. While this theory may be accurate for those who experience hearing loss along with tinnitus, which accounts for 90 percent of tinnitus cases, it does not provide an adequate explanation for the other 10 percent of cases.
What Does Tinnitus Sound Like?
The most common description of tinnitus is ringing in the ears, but the sounds experienced can vary from one person to another and may include sounds like: buzzing, whooshing, chirping, or clicking. For some, the sound is heard as a continuous sound that remains at the same level of intensity, but others may experience sounds that pulsate or have a wave-like volume intensity. Tinnitus is most often subjective, meaning that only the person experiencing it can hear the sounds. However, there are cases in which another person, with the aid of a stethoscope, can hear the sounds. This latter form is called objective tinnitus.
Common Conditions That Contribute to Tinnitus
As a symptom, tinnitus appears in relation to various conditions, which means that its cause can only be found in the cause of the condition it accompanies. Some of these contributing conditions include: Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), a natural occurrence as we get older Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to loud noise exposure
Head or ear injury (concussion) Ear infection Earwax or ear canal blockage Various health conditions Use of ototoxic medications, which can negatively affect your hearing and lead to tinnitus
Do I Have Temporary or Permanent Tinnitus?
Your tinnitus can be temporary, like what you experience after being exposed to loud noise from a stadium, concert, or nightclub. Temporary tinnitus might also be related to use of medications, ear infection, blockages from earwax, or various other health conditions. Tinnitus most often becomes a permanent frustration for those who experience permanent sensorineural hearing loss and those who have suffered a head or ear injury. In some cases, health conditions and diseases can also lead to permanent tinnitus.
Preventing Tinnitus
Tinnitus prevention is typically related to hearing loss prevention, because 90 percent of tinnitus cases occur along with hearing loss. Since there is little that can be done to prevent hearing loss that develops with age, aka presbycusis, the primary focus is on preventing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Though NIHL can be the result of damage incurred during a single, one-time extreme noise event, like an explosion, it is most often the result of ongoing exposure to noises above 85 decibels (dB) for an extended period of time. Preventing tinnitus and NIHL requires the use of hearing protection while participating in activities with noise levels over 85 dB. The most common activities with noise levels above 85 dB include: Mowing the lawn Riding your motorcycle Using a chainsaw or power tools around the house Using pneumatic tools (drills, nail guns, power wrenches) Attending concerts Being at major sporting events Visiting bars and nightclubs Experiencing gunshots
Being around fireworks and firecrackers If you hope to prevent tinnitus, earplugs or earmuffs should be worn to protect your ears from the damaging effects that lead to both hearing loss and tinnitus. Those who work in the construction and music industries are among the most frequent sufferers of both NIHL and permanent tinnitus, so the use of hearing protection for construction workers and specialized earplugs for musicians is a must. Wearing the proper protective headgear for various occupations and sports is another critical means of preventing head, neck, and ear injuries that can lead to tinnitus and hearing loss.
Managing Your Tinnitus
Tinnitus often gets worse due to a sort of snowball effect between the sound itself and the stress it produces. When you are hyper aware of the tinnitus sounds you’re experiencing, the resulting stress typically contributes to a more intense awareness of the sounds, leading to more stress and an even more intense awareness of the sounds, and so on. The primary focus of managing permanent tinnitus involves various forms of desensitization to your tinnitus sounds.
Four main approaches are used in tinnitus management.
One way to divert your focus from the sounds of your tinnitus in order to help you relax is the use of sound therapy or sound masking. There is a wide range of sounds produced by tabletop units or through your smartphone or computer that are more pleasant to listen to than the sound of your tinnitus and/or may be able to mask it (block it out).
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) involves the development and use of coping skills along with sound masking to help alter your negative response to tinnitus noise. This approach helps individuals with tinnitus to reduce their sensitivity to the sound so they can interrupt the snowballing effects of tinnitus.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also assist in retraining your brain to lessen the effect of tinnitus on your well-being. With counseling and therapy, you can adjust your reaction to tinnitus and make it less stressful to manage.
A new technology designed to provide tinnitus relief, Lenire tinnitus treatment is a form of bimodal neuromodulation that combines sound therapy, through wireless headphones, with mild pulses to the tongue to help divert your attention away from your tinnitus.
We understand the significant impact tinnitus can have on a person’s life, and we strive to provide our patients with comprehensive care to manage their condition effectively. In our efforts to assist our patients, we highly recommend the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) as an excellent resource for tinnitus relief, prevention, and research.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tinnitus:
Can Tinnitus Go Away On Its Own?
Tinnitus, which you might know as that persistent ringing in your ears, can indeed sometimes go away without any treatment. This usually happens if it's linked to temporary health issues such as earwax buildup or an infection. However, if the ringing persists it's important to consider professional help. Seeking guidance from a healthcare provider ensures that you address potential underlying causes effectively and don't miss out on getting the relief you need.
How Long Does Tinnitus Last?
The duration of tinnitus can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals might experience it temporarily, while for others it can become a chronic condition. Typically, transient tinnitus might resolve within a few days to weeks. Chronic tinnitus, on the other hand, requires medical assessment to determine suitable management strategies. If you've noticed persistent symptoms, reaching out to a specialist can provide guidance and potential solutions.
Is There a Cure for Tinnitus?
Currently, there is no one-size-fits-all cure for tinnitus. However, various treatments and management strategies can effectively alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life. The key is to find what works best for you. With advancements in treatment options, living with tinnitus does not mean enduring constant discomfort. Discuss with a healthcare provider what might suit your unique needs.
What Treatments Are Available for Tinnitus?
Options like tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, Lenire, and hearing aids can be quite effective. These methods aim to retrain your perception and response to tinnitus. Personalized treatment plans can significantly reduce the impact of tinnitus on your daily life, so consulting with a hearing care professional is a recommended first step.
Is Lenire Available Near Me?
Lenire is a relatively new, noninvasive treatment option for tinnitus that combines sound and tongue stimulation to soothe the symptoms. We’re proud to be one of the first clinics in the Big Country to offer Lenire to residents in Abilene—contact us today to find out more!
Meet Your Tinnitus Specialist: Dr. Anum Khan
“I was raised in an environment where my family members faced challenges related to their hearing, speech, and vision—all of these significantly impacted their ability to communicate effectively. Communication is a fundamental aspect of human existence, as it forms the foundation of our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues and greatly influences our brain health and overall quality of life.”
Your First Step to Better Hearing
The first step toward better hearing can feel scary as you step into the unknown, but if you ask our patients what their biggest regret is, it’s often not taking that first step earlier. Whether you have a question, want advice, or would like to speak to a hearing care professional, you can reach us by either completing the form on this page or contacting us at (325) 309-0678
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