Is It Normal To Have Occasional Tinnitus?

Hearing problems can be frustrating, to say the least. One common problem that some people experience with their hearing is tinnitus. There are several things you should know about tinnitus so that you can determine if you are experiencing it and when to seek treatment.

If you think you have tinnitus and would like more information, keep reading because you are about to find out more about the condition and the available treatment options.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears without outside stimulus. It can be caused by damage to inner ear structures, including hair cells and stereocilia, although it may also arise from other causes such as an infection or tumor. Tinnitus is not a disease but rather a symptom that can accompany various different underlying disorders; its severity cannot always be predicted.

Is it normal to have occasional tinnitus?

Yes, it's normal to have occasional tinnitus. Most people have a buzzing in their ear from time to time without being troubled by it. Occasional tinnitus usually goes away on its own and there is no need for you to do anything about it. However, if you have a severe or ongoing ringing or hissing, call your doctor right away because there could be a medical problem causing tinnitus.

Tinnitus can vary in frequency, duration, and severity. It is not always constant and the loudness of the tinnitus may vary day to day. Certain tinnitus sounds are more annoying than others. Tinnitus can range from a low-frequency sound similar to background noise, to a high-pitched sound that resembles crickets chirping.

Treatment options for tinnitus

Treatment options for tinnitus include both medical and non-medical interventions. A medical approach will usually involve a course of medication, most often with a combination of therapies, such as hearing aids. Because hearing loss and tinnitus often occur together, having your hearing loss treated may take care of the phantom sounds. 

Choosing a hearing aid for tinnitus can be difficult because of the wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that are available. Everyone has different needs, so it is important to find hearing aids that suit these needs. This is where your audiologist can help you make the right choice.

Once you choose the right hearing aid you will see a big improvement in the way you hear. The key is to follow the professional advice you have been given and then think about your daily needs and your budget. Some people with tinnitus may only need to use one ear hearing aid to hear sounds properly, while others may need two devices or masking features.

Prevention methods for tinnitus

Tinnitus is not life-threatening, but it can be annoying and disturbing. One of the most common causes of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise either from things like concerts or from work environments such as construction sites or even power tools used around the house. 

In order to avoid this problem as much as possible, try wearing earplugs when you go to a concert. Use headphones with volume control so that you don't have your music too loud on long car trips. 

If you are already experiencing tinnitus, take immediate steps to reduce the noise level or switch jobs. If you are exposed to loud noises at work, make sure that your employer has taken reasonable precautions to protect their employees from hearing loss and is not violating any laws regarding hearing protection equipment.

Get treatment

Tinnitus is something that many people experience from time to time. This is no cause for concern. However, if you frequently experience ringing in the ears that goes on for weeks or months, it is time for you to visit an audiologist. 

An audiologist will be able to assess your hearing ensure that no hearing loss takes place. If hearing loss has already occurred, your audiologist will find an acceptable treatment method to prevent further deterioration. Early treatment is the best way to prevent severe hearing loss. If you are experiencing prolonged tinnitus symptoms, do not hesitate to go to your audiologist as quickly as possible.

If you would like help with tinnitus or any other hearing loss symptoms, get in touch with Salyer Hearing Center. Any of our experts would be happy to help you, call Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014