Tinnitus

Tinnitus ("TIN-a-tus" or "Tin-EYE-tus") refers to any noise or sound in your ear when no other sound is present. Tinnitus can sound like ringing, hissing, roaring, pulsing, whooshing, chirping, whistling, or clicking. Tinnitus can occur in one ear or both ears. Almost everyone at one time or another has experienced brief periods of mild ringing or other sounds in the ear. Some people have more annoying and constant types of tinnitus. One third of all adults experience tinnitus at some time in their lives. About 10%–15% of adults have prolonged tinnitus requiring medical evaluation. The exact cause of tinnitus is often not known. One thing is certain: Tinnitus is not imaginary.

Classification of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be classified as either Subjective or Objective.
   -  Subjective tinnitus – only perceived by the patient, it is more common
   -  Objective tinnitus – sound produced by non-auditory structures in the
          ear, head or neck which may be heard by an examiner

What should I do if I have Tinnitus?
Since tinnitus is a symptom of a problem, the first thing you should do is to try to find out the underlying cause. You should have a medical examination with special attention given to checking factors associated with tinnitus. A full hearing evaluation can identify hearing loss that may be associated with the tinnitus. There are many possible causes of tinnitus, such as:
             Impacted wax (external ear)
             Ear infection
             Middle ear tumors
             Meniere's Disease
             Otosclerosis
             Vascular problems (circulation disorders)
             Ototoxic medicines (more than 200 medicines can cause tinnitus)
             Noise-induced hearing loss (inner ear)
             At the central level—the eighth cranial (auditory) nerve and other
                     tumors, migraine, and epilepsy


What treatment options are available for tinnitus?
The most effective treatment for tinnitus is to eliminate the underlying cause. Because tinnitus can be a symptom of a treatable medical condition, medical or surgical treatment may correct the tinnitus. Unfortunately, in many cases, the cause of tinnitus cannot be identified, or medical or surgical treatment is not an option. In these cases, the tinnitus itself may need to be treated. Be sure to discuss with your doctor any treatment options you are considering prior to beginning the treatment. Forms of tinnitus management include:
                 Biofeedback
                 Relaxation therapy
                 Counseling
                 Habituation therapies
                 Tinnitus maskers
                 Sound therapy

Tinnitus is usually managed through a combination of options. Audiologists and otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors, or ENTs) routinely collaborate in identifying the cause and providing treatment. A treatment that is useful and successful for one person may not be appropriate for another.

Will a hearing aid help my tinnitus? If you have a hearing loss, there is a good chance that a hearing aid will both relieve your tinnitus and help you hear. The audiologist can assist with the selection, fitting, and purchase of the most appropriate aid. The audiologist will also help train you to use the aid effectively. Many newer hearing aids also come with tinnitus programs, such as the Widex Zen.