Have you ever left a concert or sporting event with a high-pitched ringing in your ears? This is called tinnitus. Virtually everyone will experience tinnitus from time to time. Although it’s usually the result of being around loud noises, that’s not always the case, and not everyone experiences tinnitus the same way. For example, tinnitus has been described as ringing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing in the ears that only you can hear.
What causes tinnitus?
Exposure to loud sounds, or long-term exposure to moderately loud sounds, can lead to tinnitus. The loud sounds damage the inner ear’s ability to send clear signals to the brain, which causes mix-ups that your brain interprets as a ringing sound.
Tinnitus can also be caused by certain medications. These include NSAIDS like aspirin or ibuprofen, water pills called loop diuretics, some cancer medicines, and some antidepressants. The tinnitus usually stops when you stop taking the medication. However, you should always talk with a healthcare professional first.
Lastly, sometimes the cause is simply unknown. Although most people will experience temporary tinnitus, there are some people who may develop permanent tinnitus.
How to treat tinnitus
Although there is no cure for tinnitus, there are several treatments that can lessen its effects. In mild cases, using a sound generating machine or app can help mask tinnitus, especially when you’re trying to sleep or in very quiet situations where it’s more noticeable.
Hearing aids can also help. Many hearing aid models today are built specifically to combat the effects of tinnitus by helping you hear better and by counteracting the tinnitus with sounds and tones meant to mask it.
In some extreme cases, counseling can even reduce the psychological effects of tinnitus and provide strategies for dealing with it.
If you’re experiencing tinnitus, Teachers Health Trust encourages you to talk to a hearing healthcare provider. As a Teachers Health Trust member, you have access to hearing aids through TruHearing®. Call TruHearing at (844) 547-3833 to get started.
