What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus, sometimes
called "head noise," is hearing sounds coming from inside the head. For many
people, tinnitus is a high-pitched ringing in one or both ears. For you, it may be a
buzzing, whistling, popping, hissing or roaring noise. Tinnitus may be constant or may
come and go.
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Is
Tinnitus A Common Problem?
Yes. 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. As many as 30
million Americans consider their tinnitus a problem. A million or more persons find that
their tinnitus prevents them from leading a normal life.
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Is
Tinnitus a Disease?
No. Just as fever or
headache accompanies many different illnesses, tinnitus is a symptom common to many
problems, both physiological and psychological. Contact us for more information.
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What Causes My Tinnitus?
Chances are the
cause of your tinnitus will remain a mystery. Only when a specific factor is linked to the
appearance or disappearance of the tinnitus can a cause be stated with certainty. Blows to
the head, large doses of certain drugs such as aspirin, anemia, hypertension, noise
exposure, stress, impacted ear wax and certain types of tumors are examples of conditions
that might cause tinnitus.
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What Happens In My Head To Produce Tinnitus?
Although there are
many theories about how sounds in the head are produced, the exact process is not known.
One thing is certain. Tinnitus is not imaginary.
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Does Having Tinnitus Mean I Have A Hearing Loss?
Not necessarily.
Although tinnitus is a symptom experienced by many people who have hearing loss, not
everyone with tinnitus has a hearing loss. Some people do, and some people don't. Contact us for more information.
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Why Is My Tinnitus Worse At Night?
During the day, the
distraction of activities and the sounds around you make your tinnitus less obvious. When
your surroundings are quiet, your tinnitus may seem louder and more constant. Fatigue may
also make your tinnitus worse.
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What Should I Do About My Tinnitus?
Since tinnitus is a
symptom, the first step should be to try to diagnose the underlying cause. You should have
a medical examination with special attention given to checking for factors sometimes
associated with tinnitus such as blood pressure, kidney function, drug intake, diet and
allergies. Your hearing should be evaluated by an audiologist licensed by the state of NJ
and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to determine if hearing
loss is present.
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What Is The Treatment For Tinnitus?
The most effective
treatment for tinnitus is to eliminate the underlying cause. Unfortunately, the cause
often cannot be identified so, in some cases, the tinnitus itself may need to be treated.
Drug therapy, vitamin therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis and tinnitus maskers are types of
treatments that have been helpful for some people. "Self-help" groups are
available in many communities for sharing information and coping strategies for living
with tinnitus. People with mild tinnitus generally do not require treatment. If they can
be assured that they do not have a rare disease or a serious brain disorder or are not
going deaf, they usually find they can cope with or ignore their tinnitus. Contact us for more information.
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What Is A Tinnitus Masker?
Tinnitus maskers
look like hearing aids and produce sounds that "mask" or cover up tinnitus. Some
people find such external sounds preferable to the sound in their heads. The
characteristics of the tinnitus, such as pitch and loudness, determine what kind of noise
brings relief. When a person has a hearing loss as well as tinnitus, the masker and the
hearing aid may operate together as one instrument. Like other treatments for tinnitus,
maskers are useful for some, but not all people. As with a hearing aid, a careful
evaluation by an audiologist will help decide if a tinnitus masker will help you.
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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 better. Contact an audiologist to determine if you will benefit from
using a hearing aid. The audiologist can assist with the selection, fitting and purchase
of the most appropriate aid and help with training to use the aid effectively. Contact us for more information.
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How Can I Find A Certified Audiologist or Locate a
"Self-Help" Group?
A list of certified
audiologists in your state may be obtained by writing or calling
NJSHA
203 Towne Centre Drive
Hillborough, New Jersey 08844
(908) 359-5308
Contact us for more information.
Information on self-help groups is
available from the American Tinnitus Association P.O. Box 5 Portland, OR 97207
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