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.

Tinnitus is an audiological condition commonly described as either a ringing in the ear for no known reason. Some experience it as buzzing, humming, or even as a loud, roaring noise. In very rare cases, tinnitus sufferers may actually hear music. Although annoying, it isn’t painful, and it is often possible that treatment will result in tinnitus gone after a year.

Tinnitus by itself is not a disease but rather a symptom of conditions that range from minor to severe. Causes include such ear was blocking ear canals, fluid in the inner ear, aneurysm, or even Meniere’s disease. The first step for those who experience these symptoms is to visit their health care professional to find the underlying cause. Two types of tinnitus exist — subjective and objective tinnitus. Subjective tinnitus is sound that only the specific patient hears, while objective tinnitus can be heard by others. It’s estimated that over 99 percent of all of those who suffer from tinnitus experience the subjective variety. Objective tinnitus is usually caused by internal bodily functions such as blood flow disorders.

Science currently has no cure for tinnitus, but fortunately, treatment options exist that offer many of those who suffer from the condition a measure of relief. The simplest way to get the tinnitus gone after a year is to stop is to effectively treat the root cause, but when that can’t be done, sound therapies, hearing aids, and behavioral therapies often alleviate symptoms. Many of those who suffer from tinnitus are also experiencing some form of hearing loss, so fitting them with hearing aids sometimes eliminates tinnitus completely.

Other possible courses of treatment for tinnitus include vitamin and mineral therapy, biofeedback, and cognitive therapy. Studies have shown that many who suffer from tinnitus also experience decreased levels of magnesium and zinc. Ginkgo supplements have also been found by some to reduce occurrences of tinnitus. Biofeedback can be helpful in treating tinnitus because it empowers the patient with techniques designed to minimize responses to the stimuli that may result in an onset of tinnitus. Cognitive therapy may offer some relief to those who are struggling with coping with the negative aspects of this disorder such as problems sleeping and increased feelings of anger and frustration.

Because tinnitus is often a condition associated with working in loud environments or otherwise being exposed to loud noises over a period of time, those who are at risk are advised to wear hearing protection. Also, cleaning the ears out with cotton swabs is not advised because this procedure serves to push ear wax further back into the inner ear canal.

Tinnitus has many possible causes and potential treatments. Patients often have to explore several treatment strategies to achieve tinnitus gone after a year before finding something that works for their individual situation.