Tinnitus and Hearing Loss: Exploring the Connection and Treatment Options
Tinnitus, often called ringing-in-the-ears, is a common hearing problem. According to the CDC, over 50 million people in the United States are afflicted with tinnitus. Drs. Kathryn McGee, Kelly Long, and Joi Murray at Carolina Hearing Institute provide a wide range of audiology services, including diagnosing and treating tinnitus and hearing loss. They have several convenient office locations in Irmo, Columbia, Lugoff, Sumter, and Lexington, SC, to help you.
What You Need To Know About Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Tinnitus can be characterized by a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling sound in your ears. The condition can cause intermittent or temporary hearing difficulties, dizziness, and other symptoms.
You can develop tinnitus from:
- Earwax buildup
- Exposure to loud noises for long periods
- Age-related hearing loss
- Sclerosis of the bones in your middle ear
- Some medications including diuretics and antibiotics
You may also experience tinnitus due to an underlying medical issue such as TMJ problems, head or neck trauma, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis.
If you notice signs and symptoms of tinnitus, you should visit your audiologist, who may recommend a CT scan, MRI, and other medical imaging to check for structural issues within your ears. Treatment varies, depending on the cause of your tinnitus.
Your audiologist may recommend:
- Hearing aids, which will reduce or eliminate symptoms of tinnitus and help you hear better
- Cochlear implants, which can help restore hearing loss caused by tinnitus
- Sound therapy, to reduce unwanted noise
- Counseling and training, to help you cope with tinnitus symptoms
Your audiologist can help minimize the signs and symptoms of tinnitus so that you can hear well again.
Want To Know More?
To find out more about tinnitus and hearing loss, call Drs. McGee, Long, and Murray at Carolina Hearing Institute. You can reach them in any of their office locations in Columbia, Lugoff, Sumter, or Lexington, SC, by calling (803) 424-2208, so call today.