TINNITUS

• Tinnitus is most commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears” but can also be perceived as buzzing, hissing, or roaring. It may be soft or loud, or high- or low-pitched.

• Tinnitus is a common issue and can sometimes be severe enough to interfere with daily activities and cause sleep deprivation.

• Tinnitus is mostly subjective, meaning you are the only one who can hear the sound. It may also pulsate to the rhythm of your heartbeat.

• We don’t always know what causes tinnitus, but it can sometimes be linked to the following:

  • Hearing Loss: Tinnitus can sometimes accompany the onset of hearing loss. This is not true for all hearing loss sufferers, and some people with tinnitus have shown to have normal hearing.

  • Certain Medications: Tinnitus can be a side effect of certain medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, anti-malaria drugs, and antidepressants.

  • Earwax or Ear Infections: Tinnitus can appear when there is a blockage of the ear canal of any sort.

  • Head or Neck Injuries: If an injury is severe enough to damage any of the internal structures of the ear or the part of the brain that processes sound (including the nerve that carries the sound signals) tinnitus can result.

  • Other conditions such as: diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, anemia, etc.

• There is currently no cure for tinnitus, but there are different coping mechanisms. These can include the use of hearing aids, and different behavioural therapies.

  • Sound Therapies: White noise machines, fans, hearing aids (if hearing loss is present).

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapies: Learning how to lessen everyday stresses or stresses from trauma can have a positive outcome for tinnitus sufferers.

  • Tinnitus Retraining Therapies: Finding ways to distract your brain from the tinnitus and train yourself to essentially ignore it when it comes on.