Rather than being a condition by itself, tinnitus usually indicates a larger issue.
Many people know tinnitus as the infamous “ringing in the ears.” In reality, tinnitus can sound like many things. People experience a range of sounds with tinnitus, from ringing to buzzing, hissing, whistling, and more. When you experience tinnitus, or the experience of hearing sound when there is no external sound present, it’s important to keep in mind that this is a symptom. Rather than being a condition by itself, tinnitus usually indicates a larger issue. It’s linked to high blood pressure, ear infections, and in some cases, even hearing loss. In order to care for your hearing and take care of any potential health issues, here is a guide to understanding how tinnitus and hearing loss are linked.
Shared Symptoms
It makes sense that tinnitus and hearing loss would be related–many people who experience one, also experience the other. When you are hearing things you don’t want to hear, like ringing or buzzing, there’s a good chance that you are not hearing the things you want to hear as well. One popular hypothesis for these shared symptoms is that your brain may be trying to compensate for missing sounds. As hearing gets worse, your brain may be trying to make up for the sounds it’s not picking up on. Finding treatment for hearing loss can often help with tinnitus.
How They Are Related
While tinnitus seems harder to nail down than hearing loss, they can both be linked to problems with your inner ear. They also share some common causes, like frequent exposure to loud noises. Tinnitus is related to the hairs vibrating in your inner ear that your brain interprets as sound. Since it is so common, and linked to hearing loss, it’s important to follow up with your doctor about tinnitus and check up regularly on your hearing health.
Finding Solutions
Tinnitus can become a serious problem quickly. If you leave your symptoms untreated, you can wind up with a chronic case of tinnitus. When it starts getting louder and impossible to ignore, tinnitus can disrupt your life and indicate serious health issues. Your trusted audiologist can help find the right solutions for you, whether you’re experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or any related hearing issues. Be sure to take your hearing problems to your doctor before they become a serious issue.
Get An Evaluation At Bay Area Audiology Today!
Our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Trisha A. Bents Muth, is exceptionally experienced in the art of audiology, and is dedicated to providing the absolute best solutions. Bay Area Audiology has been working to give patients a comfortable environment, with thorough evaluations. We are independently owned, and unbiased when it comes to finding you the care you need.
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