What is Tinnitus?
"The perception of noises in the head and/or ears which have no external source" . Often described as a ringing or buzzing although can be any kind of noise, even musical. The causes of tinnitus are still not fully understood but it can be associated with hearing loss, noise exposure, stress and anxiety and ear infections.
According to the British Tinnitus Association 1 in 8 adults in the UK have permanent tinnitus.
How can I treat it?
Although there is no permanent cure for tinnitus, treatment and management strategies can be very effective. You should also talk to your GP or audiologist if you thin you have it. Options for treatment include:
Sound therapy- If your tinnitus seems louder at quiet times such as bed time it nay help to have some low level background noise such as white noise, quiet radio or even a fan or clock.
Correcting hearing loss- If your tinnitus is a a side effective of hearing loss it may help to use hearing aids.
CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) or other forms of counselling may be helpful particuarly if your tinnitus is exasperated by stress.
Join a support group- If you are armed with as much information as possible and part of a group of other sufferers you are likely to feel better about the situation.
There is hope!
Many people find tinnitus very difficult to live with, however studies show that over time in most cases tinnitus significantly reduces or disappears entirely as the brain loses interest in the signal. If you are having difficulties you should always seek advice from a medical professional.