Tinnitus Overview

ATA PODCASTS: TRANSCRIPT

Tinnitus Overview

Title: Tinnitus Overview
Description: The National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research provides an overview of tinnitus and includes tips on how to manage the condition.
Author: National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research
Length: 03:02
Size: 3.09 MB

Transcript
 

Announcer: If you hear a ringing, buzzing, hissing or other sound in your ears or head that never seems to go away, you may have tinnitus. A common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud sounds. Other causes of tinnitus include head or neck injuries, untreated medical conditions such as high blood pressure and certain medications. Anything that contributes to hearing loss can also cause or worsen tinnitus.

If you experience tinnitus, here are a few things that you should do: protect your ears from loud sounds such gunfire, machinery, power tools and loud music. If you are around these types of sounds, wear hearing protection devices. Or, if you can, move away from the source of the sound- or turn it down.

Being in a quiet setting tends to make you notice your tinnitus more. Try adding pleasant sounds such as music, nature sounds, relaxation CDs, even audio books to any quiet environment. Use whatever works to listen to these sounds- speakers, earphones, radios, MP3 players or iPods. Small in-the-ear sound generating devices, often referred to as maskers are available.

Get a hearing evaluation from an audiologist. Hearing loss and tinnitus often go hand in hand and an audiologist can detect any hearing loss that should be addressed.

If you have significant hearing loss, hearing aids often help to reduce the perception of tinnitus and also improve your ability to hear and communicate. The audiologist can also determine if you need to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) physician. A physician can identify problems that can be treated medically.

Many people who experience tinnitus do not require any health care services. They are able to ignore their tinnitus most of the time and it does not normally interfere with their daily activities, sleep, or enjoyment of life.

However, if your tinnitus is bothersome to you, you should make an appointment with an audiologist. People who suffer from severe tinnitus can also suffer from depression, stress, anxiety and fatigue. These issues can form a viscous circle of symptoms, with each one making the others worse.

If you experience anxiety, depression or sleep problems along with tinnitus, then seek help from a qualified professional.

Effective management for these conditions can help people to feel better and reduce the severity of their tinnitus.

For more information, contact your audiologist, physician, or the American Tinnitus Association.