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Tinnitus (literally “ringing” in Latin) is characterized by ringing, buzzing, or noises that originate in the ear or the head, when non-external noise is present.

Though this condition is usually not dangerous, it can be a symptom of another health problem or underlying condition. Tinnitus can cause so many stressful side effects, including fatigue, sleep problems, concentration difficulty, memory problems, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Though it’s not necessarily serious, it can be quite debilitating.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus may have several underlying causes. Your doctor may begin investigating the condition by first finding out what kind of tinnitus you suffer from. There are two general types of tinnitus: subjective and objective tinnitus.

Subjective tinnitus means that only you can hear the noise or ringing in your ears. Objective tinnitus means that it may be possible for your physician to also hear the noise or ringing while performing an exam.

Tinnitus can be caused by a number of things from certain medications to a variety of health problems. Your physician will take a detailed history of your health and medications, perform a thorough examination, and possibly order a hearing test or or conduct other tests of the auditory system.

Possible causes of tinnitus include:

• Age-related hearing loss
• Exposure to loud noise
• Earwax buildup
• Obstruction in the middle ear
• Ototoxic medication
• Stress and depression
• Head or neck injuries
• Benign tumor of the cranial nerve
• Temporo Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

In some cases, the exact cause of the tinnitus may not be found but serious underlying conditions can be ruled out.

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 acoustic therapy or sound therapy. Sound therapy makes use of sounds to help the brain re-focus and diminish the emotional impact of the tinnitus.

• Supplements
• Sound therapy
• Hearing aids
• Acupuncture
• Magnetic stimulation
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Hypnosis

It is important to note that there is not one treatment that will work for each individual.

Sound therapy is an option that can help lessen the severity of tinnitus. Sound therapy involves the use of a sound-generating device as part of an overall program designed by an audiologist that includes informational counseling and other activities to help ease the stress of tinnitus. Sound therapy includes an individual regimen of listening to specific sounds such as soothing tones or customized music through headphones or ear-level worn device to help re-focus the auditory system.

In general, tinnitus treatments may not make the tinnitus disappear completely, but but they may make it less noticeable and ease your stress and anxiety from it. Speak with your hearing specialist about the best tinnitus treatment option for you.

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 conduct a complete medical history, as well as a complete examination.