Do you experience ringing in the ears?
We’ve all experienced an unwanted ringing sensation within our ears. For some this ringing, whooshing, buzzing, clicking or chirping sound does not go away. That sound is called Tinnitus and is very common, regularly impacting 44 million Americans. Also known as ‘ringing in the ears’ is the frequent experience of bothersome sound that other people cannot hear. For individuals with problem tinnitus, it is perceived as a threat to their well-being. For these people, it interferes with their daily work and even with their sleep. Often associated with tinnitus, but also can be experienced alone, hyperacusis can be equally disruptive. Hyperacusis is the condition in which ordinary sounds feel unpleasantly loud or painful. In both tinnitus or hyperacusis, the causes can vary which emphasizes the need for an auditory evaluation.
The exact cause of tinnitus is still unknown in most cases, but we do know people regularly exposed to loud noises are at the highest risk for developing the unwelcome sounds. While there is no known cure for tinnitus, the unwanted ringing noise is highly manageable.
In nearly 90% of tinnitus cases there is an underlying hearing loss. By addressing the hearing loss, introducing sound masking therapy and patient education, most of our patients can effectively manage their tinnitus symptoms.
Our tinnitus treatment plans are personal and customized. We carefully evaluate the auditory system and your medical history to determine whether or not a medical referral is needed. We evaluate the effects of tinnitus on your quality of life and provide recommendations to make your tinnitus and/or hyperacusis less bothersome. We will work with closely with you to determine the optimal treatment. Learn more about treatment options.