Tinnitus is the term used to describe the condition of having ringing, buzzing, or noise in the ear or originating from the head. The word tinnitus is Latin and literally means ringing.

Treating the Cause

Tinnitus can be caused by many things, and is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. The treatment for your particular tinnitus will depend on the condition that is causing it, the severity, any accompanying issues such as hearing loss, and the impact the tinnitus has on daily activities.

Common causes of tinnitus include:

Stress and depression
Hearing loss
Exposure to loud noises
Earwax buildup or blockages
Abnormal bone growth in the ear
Meniere’s disease
Head or neck injuries
Benign tumor of the cranial nerve

In order to find out the root cause of your tinnitus, your physician or hearing specialist will need to conduct a complete medical history evaluation as well as a complete examination.

What Treatments are Available?

Depending on the cause of your tinnitus and other factors, several treatments are available, including medical options as well as alternative therapies. A common treatment is tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT). Also known as habituation therapy, this method makes use of sounds to help the brain re-focus and diminish the emotional impact of the tinnitus.

Tinnitus can be life-changing and difficult to deal with, especially if it is a chronic problem. While it is often an accompanying symptom of hearing loss, your hearing professional will work to incorporate tinnitus treatments into your hearing rehabilitation treatment plan, if needed.