The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog

Please note: the following information does not constitute professional medical advice, and is provided for general informational purposes only. Please speak to your doctor if you have tinnitus.

What Is Tinnitus?

If you have experienced sudden ringing in the ear, then you may have a condition called tinnitus. This is a condition that affects around 20 percent of adults. It is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as a circulatory problem or ear injury. It may also be a sign of hearing loss.

In addition to sudden ringing in ear, a person may notice a clicking, roaring or hissing sound. One may hear the noise in one or both ears. In some cases, the noise is so loud that a person is unable to concentrate.

What Causes Sudden Ringing In Ear?

There are a number of things that can possibly cause tinnitus. It can be caused by an infection or blockage in the ear. It may also be caused by exposure to loud noises. In fact, it is estimated that 90 percent of people with tinnitus have noise-induced hearing loss.

High blood pressure and heart disease can also cause tinnitus. This condition can also occur due to aging. As a person gets older, the cochlea starts to deteriorate. The cochlea has an organ called the corti. Tinnitus can occur when the hair cells inside of the corti become damaged. In rare cases, tinnitus is a sign of a tumor. Additionally, certain medications can cause tinnitus.

Types Of Tinnitus

There are two types of tinnitus, subjective and objective. Subjective tinnitus is the type of tinnitus that only you can hear. Objective tinnitus is the type that can be heard during an examination.

Treatments For Tinnitus

There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are some things that can be done to manage it. If your tinnitus is caused by the buildup of earwax, then removing the earwax can help alleviate the sudden ringing in ear. Earwax can be removed by flushing the ear out with warm water. It can also be removed with a device called a curette.

There are also some medications that can be used to reduce the tinnitus symptoms. Valium, which is an anti-anxiety medication, can be used to treat tinnitus. Alprazolam, which is another medication that is prescribed to treat anxiety, can also reduce tinnitus symptoms.

White noise machines can also be beneficial for people who suffer from tinnitus. These machines create environmental sounds, such as ocean waves and falling rain. Additionally, if a person suffers from noise-induced tinnitus, then hearing aids can also be helpful.