You don’t have to live with “ringing in ears”
Tinnitus (pronounced TIN-it-us or tin-NIGHT-us) is a common condition that affects approximately 10% of the population and causes a perception of ringing, chirping, hissing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, or whistling, even where there is no apparent source of these noises.
For many individuals, tinnitus can cause frustration, depression, and stress with a negative impact on quality of life. It can also disrupt many daily activities such as work, reading, spending time with family, watching TV, or sleeping.
Tinnitus has many possible causes
While researchers do not know all the specific mechanisms that trigger or intensify tinnitus, they have found it can be associated with the following:
- Noise exposure
- Ear wax build-up or foreign bodies in the ear canal
- The natural aging process
- Ear infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, or middle ear problems (e.g. otosclerosis)
- Ménière’s disease or related ear diseases
- Head and neck trauma
- Medications
- TMJ or jaw joint misalignment
- Stress, depression, anxiety
- Cardiovascular disease
- Systemic diseases – diabetes, anemia, hormonal changes, Lyme disease, high or low blood pressure, thyroid dysfunction, fibromyalgia, brain tumors
- For many, the cause is unknown
Ruling out more serious ear concerns
Tinnitus should be thoroughly evaluated to rule out more serious health concerns. Our board-certified audiologist, Dr. Robin Andrews, offers expert evaluation and treatment for tinnitus. He has been thoroughly trained in the use of new tinnitus hearing aid/sound generators from leading manufacturers.
In addition, he offers tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT). TRT involves a combination of counseling, education, and sound generators that release low-level noise. This helps you ignore tinnitus by refocusing your attention.
If you or a loved one is experiencing ringing in ears, look to Doctors’ Hearing Center for the relief you need. Call us at 770.676.7208 or use our online Request an Appointment form to schedule your preferred consultation. Our tinnitus patients come to us from Duluth, Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek and Alpharetta in Fulton County, GA.
