Tinnitus
Persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears that can disrupt daily life, sleep, and concentration without proper management.
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Tinnitus - What Exactly Is It?
The sensation of ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears is known as tinnitus (TIN-ni-tus). This ringing can overwhelm everyday sounds and is irritating at best. Stress, irritability, and fatigue can result when persistent tinnitus symptoms make it hard to sleep or concentrate.
If you’re in the Brentwood or Nashville, TN area and your life is being disrupted by tinnitus, call or text us for a hearing test today. Managing tinnitus can often be as simple as treating hearing loss—the most common underlying cause—or using masking devices. For some cases, the Lenire Tinnitus Device is the best option. We’ll help you figure out how to deal with your tinnitus after assessing your hearing and medical history.
Stop the ringing in your ears by calling us at 615-205-7942 or schedule an appointment today.
Tinnitus Causes
Tinnitus is a symptom related to many different types of hearing and other health issues, and more than 50 million Americans have dealt with it at some point. Usually, tinnitus is a side effect of hearing loss, but in some cases, it can be caused by allergies or other medical concerns.
Loud Noise Exposure: Irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus can be the result of exposure to loud noise. The tinnitus and hearing loss will get worse the more this kind of noise exposure occurs.
Accumulation of Earwax: Excessive build-up of earwax in the canal of your ear could cause the wax to become hard. Hearing loss and tinnitus can be the outcome. If earwax becomes impacted, don’t attempt to dig it out because you could end up pushing it further up into your ear. Let us help you safely remove it.
Age-associated Hearing Loss: Most of the time tinnitus and hearing loss go hand-in-hand.
Other Possible Causes: Tinnitus can be triggered by some medications, including aspirin. Sinus infections and allergies can also often be the cause. Tinnitus can also be associated with health conditions heart and blood issues, tumors and neck and jaw problems. You will be referred to a physician if one of these medical conditions becomes apparent during your consultation and evaluation with us.
If your tinnitus is affecting your sleep, concentration, emotional well-being, or daily activities, professional help can make a significant difference. You should seek evaluation if your tinnitus is persistent, getting worse, occurs in only one ear, or is accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness. Many people suffer unnecessarily because they've been told nothing can be done, but effective treatments are available.
While there is currently no cure that eliminates tinnitus entirely, many effective treatments can significantly reduce its impact on your life. Treatment approaches include hearing aids, sound therapy, digital therapeutics like the Oto program, devices like Lenire, and counseling-based techniques. The goal is habituation—training your brain to filter out tinnitus sounds so they no longer cause distress or interfere with daily activities.
In most cases, tinnitus is not a sign of a serious medical condition. However, sudden onset tinnitus, tinnitus in only one ear, or tinnitus accompanied by dizziness, severe headaches, or sudden hearing loss should be evaluated promptly. We will refer you to a physician if we identify any concerning symptoms during your evaluation.
Tinnitus does not necessarily worsen over time. For many people, it remains stable or even improves, particularly with proper management. Protecting your ears from loud noise exposure and addressing any underlying hearing loss can help prevent progression. The distress caused by tinnitus often decreases significantly once you understand the condition and begin treatment.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present, while hearing loss is a reduced ability to hear external sounds. However, the two conditions are closely related—about 90% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss. The hearing loss may cause the brain to generate phantom sounds (tinnitus) as it tries to compensate for missing auditory input.
Yes, stress and anxiety can intensify tinnitus perception. When you're stressed, your brain is more likely to focus on the tinnitus sound, creating a cycle where tinnitus causes stress and stress amplifies tinnitus. This is why many effective tinnitus treatments include relaxation techniques and counseling to address the emotional response to tinnitus alongside the physical symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tinnitus
Common questions about tinnitus causes, symptoms, and treatment options available at Ears4U Hearing Services.
