Do you hear a ringing, roaring, clicking, or hissing sound in your ears?
At Eagle Hearing, we identify the severity of the ringing in your ears and diagnose according to the patient's current situation. We specialize in treating ringing of the ears for Boise and Eagle, Idaho patients.
Do you hear this sound often, all the time, or periodically? Does the sound bother you and your family? Do you live in Boise or Eagle, ID? If you answer yes to these questions, you may have tinnitus (tin-NY-tus). Dr. Vore at Eagle Hearing is your hearing specialist for Boise and Eagle patients.
Ringing of the ears is a symptom associated with many forms of hearing loss. It can also be a symptom of other health problems. Roughly 25 million Americans have experienced ringing in the ears. Some cases are so severe that it interferes with their daily act.
What causes ringing of the ears?
Hearing Loss - Most people who have ringing of the ears also have some kind of hearing loss.
Loud Noise - Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and ringing of the ears. Continued exposure can make the ringing and hearing loss get worse.
Medicine - More than 200 medicines, including aspirin, can cause ringing in your ears. If you have tinnitus and you take medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine could be causing the symptoms.
Other potential causes of ringing in your ears- Allergies, tumors, problems in the heart and blood vessels, and jaw movement can cause ringing of your ears.
What can I do to help myself cure ringing of my ears?
While there is no cure for tinnitus,it can be mitigated with good strategies. Many patients find listening to music very helpful. Focusing on music might help you forget about the ringing in your ears for a period of time. It can also help to mask the sound. Other people like to listen to recorded nature sounds, animals, or the ocean.
Avoid anything that can make the ringing in your ears worse, such as smoking, alcohol, lack of sleep, and loud environments. If you are regularly exposed to loud noise at home or at work, wear earplugs or special earmuffs to protect your hearing and keep the ringing in your ears from getting worse.
If it is hard for you to hear over the ringing, ask other people to face you when they talk so you can see their faces. Viewing their expressions may help you understand them better. Ask people to speak louder and more clearly.
How will hearing experts help treat my ringing of the ears?
Tinnitus treatments focus on helping you take your mind off of your tinnitus as there is no cure for tinnitus.
Hearing Aids
Most people with ringing of the ears have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids create a dual benefit of enhancing hearing and masking or covering up the tinnitus. The majority of patients with tinnitus receive partial or complete relief from their tinnitus with the use of hearing aids.
Maskers
Tinnitus maskers are small electronic devices that look like hearing aids and are tuned to generate sound that masks or covers up the tinnitus. Like hearing aids, they may provide relief from the tinnitus, but will not enhance hearing and may interfere with understanding speech.
Medicine or Drug Therapy
Some hearing loss and ringing of the ears patients develop anxiety and other strong emotional responses to their tinnitus. Certain medicines may provide relief from these emotional reactions and provide some relief from the tinnitus.
Counseling
People with severe ringing of the ears may experience anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric problems. You may be referred to a psychiatrist or counselor as needed.
Relaxing
Learning how to relax is very helpful if the noise in your ears frustrates you. Stress makes the ringing in your ears seem worse. By relaxing, you have a chance to rest and better deal with the sound.
What is the next step?
It is extremely important to see an audiologist or ENT when tinnitus appears since it can be the sign of something more serious. Contact us, for an evaluation and to discuss ringing in your ears and tinnitus.