03/20/2013
What is tinnitus?
Put simply, those who suffer from tinnitus hear a noise in their ears when there is no external source for it, but tinnitus takes a variety of forms: the noise may be heard in one ear, both ears or in the middle of the head; it can be constant or it can come and go, and it may be high or low-pitched.
Tinnitus is not an illness or a disease in itself, but it is often a symptom of a problem with the ear. Usually, it occurs when the inner ear is damaged or impaired in some way - some of the causes of tinnitus are:
Exposure to loud noises
Ear infections
Head injury
Waxy build-up in the ear
Allergies
These are just a few of the most common causes, but tinnitus can also be a side-effect of medication or a result of other health problems, such as high blood pressure. It is also commonly associated with age-related hearing loss, although it can affect anyone at any age.
What can I do?
Tinnitus can be confusing and even frightening when it comes on for the first time, but it is rarely a symptom of a serious disorder. If your tinnitus lasts for longer than a week, or if it is affecting your life, book an appointment with your GP or with an audiologist through Amplifon.
In some cases, the problem can be managed with relaxation exercises. There are also specialist hearing aids available that provide soothing tones to "drown out" the noise.
The British Tinnitus Association provides support and authoritative information about tinnitus, much of it written by medical professionals or clinical researchers. Their support network can also put you in touch with other people who have experienced tinnitus.