Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling, or other sounds. It can be intermittent or continuous, and vary in volume. Sometimes, the sound syncs with your heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus).
Usually, tinnitus is subjective, meaning that only you can hear it. However, during objective tinnitus, your doctor would be able to hear the sound because it is caused by the physical movement of a structure within the middle ear.
At ENT Associates of San Diego, tinnitus is treated by our highly trained otolaryngologists, who are experts in diagnosing and caring for this condition.
What Causes Tinnitus
Some instances of tinnitus can be caused by infections or blockages in the ear and will clear up after the underlying cause is treated. Another common cause of tinnitus is inner ear hair cell damage. The hairs in the ears react to sound waves and in some instances, the cells can release electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound. Alternatively, tinnitus could be a side effect of certain medications.
Tinnitus is very common and affects approximately 36 million Americans. For most people, it’s just an annoyance. For some others, the condition is so severe that it causes them to have difficulty concentrating and sleeping and may result in psychological distress.
Tinnitus Video
Tinnitus Treatment
Before any treatment, it is important to have a thorough examination and evaluation by one of our otolaryngologists. We’ll perform an in-depth assessment of your ears and ask you about your medical history to develop the ideal treatment plan for your specific needs. We can assess the specific cause of your tinnitus and create treatment plans to help address the symptoms you’re facing.
To alleviate the tinnitus and its underlying cause(s), your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Using white noise generation – To help you sleep, you have plenty of at-home options. For instance, turning on a fan can create a continuous, calming sound that drowns out the tinnitus buzzing. You can also buy a noise machine that produces white noise. There are in-ear masking devices provided by a doctor, as well.
- Utilizing hearing aids – If your tinnitus is caused by age-related hearing loss, we’ll help you get set up with hearing aids that fit your needs.
- Removing earwax – Ear blockages are often because of excess earwax, which can be removed by a trained otolaryngologist.
- Altering medications – If your prescriptions are contributing to these unpleasant sounds, your doctor might suggest a change in your medication types or dosages.
Contact Our Office
We understand how problematic tinnitus can be to your normal daily life. That’s why we provide innovative treatments to help patients with tinnitus in San Diego live their best lives. If you’re interested in learning more about tinnitus treatments, contact ENT Associates of San Diego to schedule a consultation today. We have three locations conveniently located in La Mesa, Chula Vista, and Escondido.
