How Can Protecting Your Hearing Help Tinnitus?

Characterized by ringing, buzzing, roaring or hissing in the ears, tinnitus is a relatively common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. In Canada alone, approximately 37% of adults report experiencing the condition at some time or another. Although people tend to assume that tinnitus is only associated with ringing in the ears, there is a range of other symptoms that can occur too. People with tinnitus may hear a humming, clicking or roaring sound, for example. In addition to this, people may experience secondary symptoms when they develop tinnitus. If the symptoms prevent you from concentrating or carrying out day-to-day tasks, for example, it can leave you feeling frustrated or isolated. While tinnitus is rarely associated with any serious medical conditions, it can interfere with a person’s daily activities. Due to this, it’s important to seek advice from an audiologist if you develop the symptoms of tinnitus.

What causes tinnitus?

The exact cause of tinnitus remains unknown, but researchers have identified two distinct types. Subjective tinnitus occurs when only the patient can hear the clicking, buzzing or ringing sounds, while objective tinnitus can be heard by an audiologist when they examine the patient. Objective tinnitus is typically caused by problems with the blood vessels, muscle contractions or the middle ear bone. In contrast, subjective tinnitus is believed to develop due to issues with either the inner, middle or outer ear. Additionally, people may experience tinnitus if they have problems with their auditory nerves or the auditory pathways to the brain.

Can tinnitus be treated?

Yes. While some forms of tinnitus can be fully resolved, the vast majority of cases can be treated. If your symptoms are caused by increased pressure in nearby blood vessels, for example, medication or surgery could resolve the cause and, therefore, eradicate the symptoms. In most instances, however, tinnitus is an on-going condition. Despite this, successful treatment can help to minimize symptoms. Once individuals have obtained a comprehensive diagnosis from an audiologist and have access to the appropriate range of treatments, the irritating symptoms of tinnitus tend to dissipate and become much easier to manage.

Does hearing protection help tinnitus?

Using hearing protection can help to reduce the risk of developing tinnitus in the future and may help to reduce existing symptoms. Being exposed to loud noise can cause significant damage to your hearing. As well as increasing the risk of hearing loss, this damage can present in the form of tinnitus. By limiting your exposure to loud noises and using hearing protection whenever you need to, you can manage your symptoms more effectively and minimize the impact they have on you.

Can hearing aids help tinnitus?

Hearing aids are one of the best ways to treat tinnitus in the long term. Many people with hearing loss also experience tinnitus. There are two reasons why the conditions appear to go hand-in-hand. Firstly, it’s believed that the brain may produce sound when hearing loss goes untreated. Once an individual wears hearing aids to improve their hearing function, the brain no longer needs to produce this sound and the symptoms of tinnitus are reduced. Secondly, hearing loss is often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells in the cochlea. As this type of damage can also cause tinnitus, it’s not surprising that people may experience both conditions simultaneously. If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss and tinnitus, there’s a good chance that wearing hearing aids will alleviate your symptoms. While merely eradicating sound deprivation can have a positive impact on tinnitus symptoms, many newer hearing aids also include dedicated tinnitus masking features. Sometimes known as ‘tinnitus masking’, these features offer sound relief options that help to distract you from the on-going noise of your tinnitus. Once in use, the sound created by the hearing aid overshadows the noise associated with tinnitus, without interfering with the patient’s daily activities.

Should you consult an audiologist?

Absolutely. All adults should visit an audiologist regularly to have their hearing function checked. By identifying hearing loss and/or tinnitus while symptoms are mild, swift action can be taken to prevent either condition from worsening. However, if you’ve been experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus for some time, there’s no need to delay seeking help any longer. With a simple assessment and hearing function test, your audiologist will be able to provide a thorough diagnosis and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. To find out more or to book an appointment today, contact Hearing Wellness Centre at (844) 663-9433 now.