“Tinnitus,” the perception of sound in the head when there is no outside sound source, is a symptom. Causes of tinnitus can include exposure to loud noises, stress, injury, Meniere’s disease, hypertension, migraine headaches, drinking too much coffee, and even over-accumulations of earwax. “Ringing in the ears,” as it is more commonly known, may also be a symptom of hearing loss. It is interesting to note that, as tiny sensory “hair cells” in the inner ear are lost or damaged, the pitch of the tinnitus often coincides with the area that also has the most hearing loss. Don’t worry! There is good news if you happen to suffer from tinnitus. Once you are properly fitted with a hearing instrument it may not only relieve tinnitus, but it can also help you to hear better.
P.S. Those most likely to suffer from tinnitus are older adults (over the age of 65) who develop age-related hearing loss.
Using a hearing aid that is adjusted to carefully control outside sound levels may make it easier for you to hear; the better you hear, the less you may notice your tinnitus. Anything you can do to limit your exposure to loud noise will help prevent tinnitus or keep it from getting worse. This may include moving away from the sound, turning down the volume, or wearing earplugs. To schedule a consultation, please call EAR & HEARING CLINIC. As registered members of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario, we are among the highest qualified regulated hearing health care professionals in Canada. Let us help you “Hear the Sounds of Life.”
