What is Tinnitus?

Attending any large (and loud) concerts or festivals this summer? Be mindful of protecting your ears. If you've ever attended a concert and your ears continued ringing you might have had mild form of Tinnitus. Could you imagine if that never went away? Tinnitus is the perception of sound even when there is nothing there to create it. That ringing, buzzing, or rushing sound in ears is not a disease but the result of trauma in the form of hearing loss from loud noises, hearing loss from age, ear or sinus infections, head or neck injuries, and certain medications (among other things). Many people will experience tinnitus on occasion but there are a few factors that increase the risk:

• Loud noises – exposure to these can damage the delicate parts of your inner ear. Consider wearing earplugs when exposed to loud sounds.
• High blood pressure – health conditions like HBP can increase risk.
• Hearing loss from age
• Gender – men are more likely to experience tinnitus than women
• Smoking – smokers are also at a higher risk

There are a few strategies for dealing with Tinnitus. The most effective treatment eliminates the underlying cause. As of right now there is no one-stop shop full-proof cure for tinnitus. Hearing aids help tinnitus sufferers dealing with hearing loss and can also help block out the frequency range of the tinnitus buzzing. Sound generators are useful to help patients relax or even fall asleep by producing repetitive and soothing sounds. TMJ treatment can help those who suffer from tinnitus due to jaw dysfunction. Muscles and nerves in the jaw are closely related to those in the ear and can impact the ear’s nerves. Counseling programs can help sufferers manage their tinnitus by managing the way patients emotionally react to the ringing of tinnitus. The goal of cognitive therapy for tinnitus patients is to make their tinnitus less bothersome. So when you’re out attending loud live music this summer consider wearing ear protection or at least standing away from the speakers. If you begin suffering from acute ear pain please visit your doctor.