Many people experience an occasional ringing in their ears. Hearing this noise – whether it takes the form of roaring, ringing, buzzing, or hissing – does not necessarily mean you suffer from tinnitus. Changes in atmospheric pressure, exposure to loud noise, and illnesses can all cause temporary ringing in the ears. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, you might ask yourself, “Do I have tinnitus?”
Some people are lucky; the cause of the ringing in their ears is obvious and the noise soon disappears. For others, the sound persists and may even grow progressively worse with time. It can become increasingly intrusive and complicate many aspects of daily life, including sleeping, working, socializing, and relaxing. If you find yourself in the latter group, you have tinnitus. Depending on the severity and duration of your condition, you may need to seek a Doctor of Audiology to help correct it. Nearly 50 million Americans experience this condition, and 10-12 million have chronic tinnitus that requires medical attention. To decide whether you should seek treatment, ask yourself the following questions:
Five Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Does tinnitus interfere with my sleep?
- Does tinnitus interfere with my enjoyment of life?
- Does tinnitus make me irritable?
- Does tinnitus make it hard for me to relax?
- Have I been bothered by tinnitus for more than 50% of my waking hours over the past week?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we recommend that you schedule a tinnitus consultation. The doctors at Heartland Hearing Center can develop a plan to help you overcome your tinnitus. We understand that tinnitus varies from person to person, and during your consultation, we can figure out how your tinnitus affects you and explore your treatment options.
Call at 319-409-5786 to schedule your consultation.