5 Common Symptoms of Tinnitus Tinnitus is a condition occurring in roughly 12.5% of the population, making it one of the most common hearing disorders. Though individuals who are suffering from the symptoms of tinnitus can usually still live their lives normally, the condition itself can be quite irritating and may require treatment in order to be fixed. Tinnitus is characterized by the perceived presence of sound. There are many different sound “patterns” that are associated with tinnitus and experiences vary tremendously by individual. Because tinnitus resembles several other conditions (both mental and physical), it is important to get a proper diagnosis before making any assumptions. As is the case with most conditions, diagnosing tinnitus begins with recognizing the presence of certain symptoms and then excluding other possible explanations. Tinnitus is a gradual, generally subtle condition, but it is still one that is worth seeking treatment for. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common symptoms of tinnitus. We will also discuss some of the possible causes of it and consider a few of the available treatment options from Tinnitus 911. By carefully monitoring for these symptoms and receiving a diagnosis when appropriate, you can be one step closer to normal hearing. What are the most common symptoms of tinnitus? Though tinnitus is routinely referred to as a “condition”, it itself is not actually a disease. Instead, tinnitus is a symptom that may indicate the presence of various other diseases. However, in order to determine whether you “have” tinnitus, there are several key indicators you should be pay attention to. 1. Frequently Hearing Non-Existent Sounds More than anything else, the most prominent indicator that you may have tinnitus will be the ongoing presence of non-existent sounds. Though individuals with tinnitus can usually tell whether the sounds they are hearing are “real” or “fake”, the very presence of these sounds can be annoying, distracting, and even confusing. Not everyone who is experiencing tinnitus will hear the same set of sounds. Common series of sounds include consistent ringing, buzzing, and humming, sounds that resemble insects or other rhythmic animals, beeping, clicking, and various others. Furthermore, as tinnitus develops over time, the sounds themselves may change. If the presence of any non-existent sound persists over time, then it will be in your best interest to receive a proper diagnosis.
2. Difficulty Paying Attention
Because tinnitus can sometimes be quite subtle, you may not always be 100% aware that you are experiencing it. Certain instances of tinnitus will resemble a sort of ongoing “white noise” that your brain may functionally ignore altogether. However, even if the condition itself has been somewhat muted, it may still be a constant source of mild distractions. If you have been noticing that you are suddenly feeling difficulty paying attention to things—in addition to hearing non-existent sounds—then your tinnitus has gotten severe enough for you to take action. 3. Sleep Disorders Unsurprisingly, ongoing instances of tinnitus can have a major impact on how well you sleep. Having the constant perception of external sounds may not only make it more difficult for you to fall asleep, but it also may make it challenging to stay asleep. Losing sleep can make the effects of tinnitus even worse, meaning that tinnitus-related sleep disorders should be promptly addressed. Some people suffering from tinnitus prefer to use a white noise machine that helps drown out specific sounds. Others prefer to fall asleep to the television or the radio. 4. Other Related Issues As stated, tinnitus is a symptom of many other related conditions. Most individuals who experience tinnitus have had some sort of hearing issue or related injury in the past. Ear infections, damage to the ear, heart conditions, brain tumors, and head injuries are just a few of the conditions that may cause tinnitus. If left untreated, many individuals will begin to develop depression and/or anxiety—this is largely due to the fact that tinnitus itself is quite stressful and also makes ordinary tasks more difficult. 5. Increased Intensity There are certainly many instances where individuals begin to suffer from tinnitus and then, despite not doing anything, begin to feel normal on their own. However, these situations are certainly exceptions, not the rule. If left untreated, many instances of tinnitus will continue to worsen over time. Tinnitus often has a very gradual onset, meaning that it may take a considerable amount of time before you even notice that the condition actually exists. There are several ways you can evaluate the severity of the condition such as monitoring the duration and frequency of “episodes” in addition to monitoring the perceived level of
loudness. As the condition gets louder or more frequent, the need for treatment becomes more urgent. What are some of the most common causes of tinnitus? Tinnitus can be caused by many different things. However, the condition is most strongly correlated with events triggering general hearing loss. Any losses to your hearing caused by internal ear damage, exposure to loud noises, or damages to your head will likely yield some degree of tinnitus. If you are an individual who works around heavy machines, airplanes, concert venues, or other loud environments, you are especially likely to develop tinnitus. Tinnitus is strongly correlated with other issues occurring in your brain, heart, blood vessels, and central nervous symptom. In some instances, signs of schizophrenia may be initially mistaken as simply tinnitus. Naturally, getting a formal and complete diagnosis will be incredibly important. Is tinnitus a treatable condition? Because tinnitus is a relatively common condition—found to be present in roughly 1 in 8 people—there are many different tinnitus treatments available to choose from. The treatment that makes the most sense for you will depend on the specific nature of your condition. · Some supplements and vitamin packs may be able to help treat tinnitus · Hearing aids can often “mute” the sounds of tinnitus or make them more manageable · Because tinnitus is associated with emotional stress, many individuals make the choice to get counseling—this may also reduce the risk of developing depression or anxiety · Sound therapy, listening therapy, and other related strategies Once you have gotten a formal diagnosis—preferably one that identifies the cause of tinnitus—it will be easier to develop a personalized treatment plan. Progress may be gradual, but most instances of tinnitus can be managed over time. Conclusion There is no doubt that tinnitus is one of the most annoying hearing conditions in existence. However, despite the relative commonness of the condition, it is important to recognize that each instance of tinnitus is unique. By carefully monitoring for symptoms and seeing how they develop over time, you can find a workable treatment option.