The buzzing in your ear keeps getting worse. It started off quietly enough, one of those “is it really there” kind of situations. But you’ve noticed how loud and constant the tinnitus sounds have become after a full day on the job at a construction site. These noises can take many forms, such as ringing, buzzing, or any number of noises. You’re considering coming in to see us, but you’re not sure: how is ringing in the ears addressed?
The source of your tinnitus symptoms will greatly establish what approach will be right for you. But there are some common threads that can help you prepare for your own tinnitus treatment.
What kind of tinnitus do you have?
Tinnitus is very common. The ringing or buzzing (or any number of noises) in your ear can be caused by various root problems. So in terms of treatment, tinnitus is usually divided into one of two categories:
- Medical Tinnitus: Some tinnitus symptoms are caused by an underlying medical issue, such as an ear infection, too much earwax, or a growth, among other ailments. Medical providers will typically try to treat the root issue as their primary priority.
- Non-Medical Tinnitus: “Non-medical” nomenclature is generally saved for tinnitus caused by hearing damage or hearing impairment. Significant, constant, and chronic tinnitus can be the outcome of hearing damage caused by long term exposure to loud noise (like at your construction site). It’s normally very challenging to manage non-medical tinnitus.
The kind of tinnitus you have, and the root cause of the hearing condition, will determine the best ways to treat those symptoms.
Treatments for medical tinnitus
If your tinnitus is related to an underlying medical ailment, it’s likely that managing your original illness or ailment will relieve the ringing in your ears. Treatments for medical tinnitus could include:
- Surgery: Doctors may decide to do surgery to get rid of any tumor or growth that might be causing your tinnitus symptoms.
- Hydrocortisone: Some kinds of infections will not respond to antibiotics. Viral infections, for instance, never respond to antibiotic solutions. Hydrocortisone may be prescribed in these cases to manage other symptoms.
- Antibiotics: If your tinnitus is related to an ear infection (that is, a bacterial ear infection), your doctor might prescribe antibiotics. Your tinnitus symptoms will most likely go-away when the infection clears up.
You’ll want to schedule an appointment to get a consultation so we personalize a tinnitus treatment plan, particularly if you’re coping with medical tinnitus.
Non-medical tinnitus treatments
The causes of non-medical tinnitus are often a lot harder to diagnose and treat than is typically the case with medical tinnitus. There is normally no cure for non-medical tinnitus (particularly in cases where the tinnitus is caused by hearing damage). Instead, treatment to enhance quality of life by relieving symptoms is the normal course of action.
- Noise-masking devices: Often called “white noise machines,” these devices are designed to supply enough sound to decrease your ability to hear the ringing or buzzing brought on by your tinnitus. These devices can be tuned to generate certain sounds created to offset your tinnitus symptoms.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: In some situations, you can be trained to ignore the sounds of your tinnitus. This frequently utilized method has helped lots of people do just that.
- Medications: There are some experimental medicines available for dealing with tinnitus. As an example, tinnitus symptoms can sometimes be decreased by mixtures of anti-anxiety medication and steroids. However, you’ll want to speak with us before making any decisions about medications.
- Hearing aids: If your tinnitus becomes more prominent as your hearing wanes, a hearing aid may help you control the symptoms of both ailments. The tinnitus symptoms will likely seem louder because everything else becomes quieter (due to hearing loss). A hearing aid can help hide the sound of your tinnitus by amping up the volume of everything else.
Find what works
For most of us, it won’t be completely clear what’s triggering our tinnitus, so it’s likely you’ll need to attempt numerous strategies in order to successfully treat your own hearing issues. In most situations, tinnitus can’t be cured. But there are various treatments available. Finding the best one for you is the trick.