Most people have experienced a temporary ringing in their ears if they’ve ever been to a loud concert or fireworks show. That’s because loud sounds can damage the delicate hairs inside your inner ear — structures that vibrate when they detect noise and send information to the brain.
The damage can trigger tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears. And when auditory hair cells are destroyed, they’re gone for good. As a result, tinnitus is often a sign of hearing loss.
Kevin Sharim and his audiology experts help people address a wide range of issues at Sharp Hearing Care Professionals. While some problems go away on their own, others don’t. And, sometimes, time is of the essence to keep an issue from progressing.
If your hearing seems muffled or if you regularly notice a ringing in your ears, here’s why you should schedule a hearing evaluation.
In most cases after hearing loud sounds, the resulting ringing in your ears typically fades within a few hours. However, when you’re exposed to loud noises regularly, tinnitus symptoms can start lasting for longer periods and permanent hearing loss can set in.
To avoid this, it’s best to take steps to protect your hearing from noise-related damage whenever possible.
But what if you develop ringing, clicking, whistling, or roaring in your ears without an obvious cause? These symptoms can ebb and flow, but they’re a sign of a problem with your hearing system, so it’s important to see an expert — especially if you have additional issues, such as vertigo or dizziness.
Common causes of tinnitus include:
Less often, tinnitus can also develop because of underlying health conditions, like autoimmune diseases, blood vessel disorders, Ménière’s disease, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
Working with an audiologist can ensure you get to the bottom of your tinnitus symptoms as quickly as possible so you can get appropriate treatment.
When it comes to tinnitus, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that there are ways to live with this condition. The bad news? There isn’t a standard cure.
Managing tinnitus involves identifying the underlying cause whenever possible. For instance, if you have earwax buildup, treatment involves removing the blockage.
Our team starts your assessment by performing a physical examination to check your ears for signs of an issue. We also discuss your medical history and ask about exposure to loud noises. Then, we perform a hearing test.
If we suspect a medical issue could be triggering your symptoms, we could recommend additional screenings with a medical provider, such as blood tests, CT scans, or MRIs. Similarly, a dental evaluation can typically determine if your tinnitus is related to TMD.
In addition to addressing the cause of tinnitus, our team can recommend appropriate management therapies, such as:
Home care strategies can also help manage tinnitus. They include relaxation techniques and avoiding things that worsen symptoms, such as alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.
It’s also beneficial to get enough rest. It can be helpful to sleep with your head elevated, which decreases congestion in your head, making noises less noticeable.
Finally, it’s vital to protect your ears from additional damage if you have tinnitus. Our team can offer personalized guidance on how to do this, including providing recommendations for ear protection.
Do you have a ringing in your ears that doesn’t seem to go away? Don’t wait to schedule an audiology consultation. Contact Sharp Hearing Care Professionals today to book a visit — we have locations in Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and Tarzana, California, for your convenience.
