What Questions Should You Ask an Audiologist About Tinnitus?

a woman experiencing ear discomfort

Are your ears full with a loud ringing, clicking, buzzing or whirring sound? Is it a noise that only you can pick up on? Does it keep you awake at night or make it hard to fall asleep? Does the noise make it difficult for you to focus on what you are doing?

You should be evaluated for tinnitus if you replied yes to any of these questions. Tinnitus is not an illness but rather a symptom of another underlying condition. It could be for a short period or long term. If you are experiencing tinnitus, you should make an appointment with an audiologist as soon as possible. If you want a better understanding of tinnitus, these are some questions that you should ask your audiologist.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus makes it seem like you can hear sounds that are not there in your surroundings. There are several categories of tinnitus to choose from. First, there is the subjective, and then there is the objective. When a person has objective tinnitus, an audiologist may be able to hear the sound that they are experiencing with the help of specialized gear. Subjective tinnitus is when only the person experiencing it can listen to the sound. Inquire with the audiologist about the type of tinnitus you are experiencing.

Is Treatment Required? 

There are varieties of tinnitus that are transient and will go gone in a relatively short amount of time, even if they are not treated. Tinnitus can be a source of tension; therefore, it is crucial to avoid letting it cause stress. When the underlying issue is treated, certain types of tinnitus will go away independently.

For instance, tinnitus brought on by high blood pressure will cease once the patient’s blood pressure has been lowered to a normal level. If tinnitus is brought on by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, switching to a different medicine may end the condition.

Which Treatments have the Highest Success Rate?

Undiagnosed hearing loss is one of the most prevalent causes of tinnitus, yet it is also one of the most treatable. Hearing loss deprives the brain of the auditory input it needs, and in response, the brain begins to generate its feedback in an attempt to compensate. As the hearing loss is treated, the brain again receives the appropriate amount of auditory data and stops producing phantom noises. 

To lessen the effects of the tinnitus, your audiologist may suggest using masking devices that produce white noise. There are several therapies available for tinnitus, including cognitive behavior therapy and biofeedback. Because there are so many different things that might set off tinnitus, there are also many different ways to treat it.

Tinnitus is not harmful to a person’s physical health, but if it is important to address it. As a result of this, we strongly recommend making an appointment with your audiologist if you detect the telltale indicators that are associated with this.