Myths About Tinnitus

Common Myths About Tinnitus and the Truth Behind Them

 

Tinnitus is Real

Tinnitus is very real. Tinnitus is a physical condition (with perceptual & neural components), experienced as noises or ringing in the ears or head when no such external physical noise is present.

Tinnitus is not a disease, but a condition that can result from a wide range of underlying causes. In most cases, tinnitus is a sensorineural reaction in the brain to damage in the ear and in the primary auditory cortex. While tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, there is a wide range of underlying causes.

Hearing Loss
Exposure To Loud Noises
Medications
Neurological Damage
Stress
Other Health Problems

At Best Hearing San Diego, Dr. Pam Best frequently educates patients about the many myths about tinnitus that prevent people from seeking treatment. Millions of people experience tinnitus symptoms such as ringing in the ears, buzzing, humming, clicking, or hissing sounds. Unfortunately, misinformation surrounding tinnitus often leaves sufferers feeling discouraged or hopeless. Understanding the truth behind these common myths about tinnitus is one of the first steps toward finding effective tinnitus relief and improving quality of life.

Myth: There Is No Treatment for Tinnitus

There is no treatment for tinnitus – I have to just learn to live with it

“Just learn to live with it” or “ignore it” is impractical advice for most tinnitus sufferers. Unfortunately, the more you try not to think about your tinnitus, the worse it gets. In the past, we have had limited options for tinnitus relief, such as biofeedback, stress reduction, white-noise masking devices, medications, and distraction techniques. Typically, most of these have proven to be ineffective over time. However, this has fortunately changed with today’s innovative tinnitus retraining and neuromodulation therapies. These therapies are designed to target the underlying perceptual or neural aspects of tinnitus. These FDA-approved treatments are simple to use and are customized to each patient’s unique tinnitus needs. Prior to any treatment, it is important to undergo a thorough examination and evaluation by your Otolaryngologist and an Audiologist specializing in tinnitus treatment.

Today’s advanced tinnitus management options can often help reduce the severity and impact of tinnitus symptoms. Depending on the cause, treatment may include hearing aids, sound therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy, stress reduction, or customized hearing solutions designed specifically for tinnitus sufferers.

Tinnitus Myths

Knowing the facts about tinnitus is a great way to get on the path to relief.

According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus sufferers in the United States number in the millions. And with so many people suffering from tinnitus, it is more important than ever to be able to distinguish fact from fiction. Knowing the truth about tinnitus can give you the best chance to effectively approach the condition and reduce the symptoms in order to improve your quality of life.

Myth: Tinnitus Is All in Your Head

Fact: Just because others can’t “see” your tinnitus, and there are no test results that will show the presence of it, doesn’t mean it isn’t all too real. Millions of people worldwide suffer from tinnitus, and it can vary from mild to debilitating. Don’t suffer in silence. There are experts who can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Myth: Diet Alone Will Cure Tinnitus

Fact: While some feel that certain additives and foods, such as alcohol, sodium, and caffeine, can aggravate tinnitus, they are not usually the root cause. It is always important for overall health to eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, but tinnitus needs to be addressed separately. Tinnitus management strategies can include dietary and lifestyle changes, but these alone won’t “cure” tinnitus.

Myth: Tinnitus Always Goes Away on Its Own

Fact: Some forms of tinnitus are temporary and caused by recent exposure to loud noise or ear trauma. This type of tinnitus should resolve on its own within a short period of time. However, it is more often persistent and long-lasting, or it may consist of recurring episodes. This tinnitus will typically not resolve on its own without treatment.

Myth: Only People with Hearing Loss Get Tinnitus

Fact: Yes, those with hearing loss can also develop tinnitus, and the two are often related. But it is also possible to get tinnitus without having hearing loss. If you are exposed to very loud noise, such as a rock concert or an explosion, you might experience temporary ringing in the ears. Certain other medical conditions or the use of medications can also cause tinnitus.

Myth: Hearing Aids Won’t Help Tinnitus

Fact: The truth is that new developments in hearing aid technology can address both hearing loss and symptoms of tinnitus by increasing the sounds of external noise, thereby masking the internal sounds of tinnitus. Hearing aids can also come equipped with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, a feature used as part of a comprehensive tinnitus treatment program designed to provide relief when you need it.

Myth: Tinnitus Is Only Caused by Loud Music or Earbuds

Fact: While listening to dangerously loud music, or any excessive noise for that matter, can result in tinnitus, there are actually many possible underlying causes that trigger tinnitus or may exacerbate tinnitus already present. Some of these may include stress, dietary triggers (high sodium, alcohol, caffeine), high amounts of aspirin, smoking, and more.

Myth: Tinnitus Is a New Condition

Fact: According to Widex, one of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, “Tinnitus has been around for as long as people have been writing things down.” Historical records suggest tinnitus existed even in ancient civilizations, proving this condition is far from new.

Myth: There Is Nothing You Can Do About Tinnitus

Fact: There is something you can do! Research into tinnitus is ongoing, and treatments are constantly evolving and improving. Whether your tinnitus is mild, moderate, or severe, an audiologist can offer solutions and treatments to help lessen the symptoms and make your condition more manageable.

Myth: Everyone with Tinnitus Eventually Goes Deaf

Fact: Tinnitus and hearing loss can coexist but are separate conditions. Just because you have tinnitus doesn’t mean you have hearing loss, and even if you have hearing loss, it doesn’t mean you are going deaf.

Myth: Tinnitus Is Always Ringing in the Ears

Fact: The truth is that tinnitus sounds are not the same for everyone. Ringing is most common, but so is buzzing, whooshing, high pitched hissing, clicking, humming, or static, just to name a few.

Myth: There Are Pills That Cure Tinnitus

Fact: Unfortunately, there is no “magic pill” that you can take to cure tinnitus. But there are ways to manage tinnitus that can lessen the symptoms and make them manageable. Advances in tinnitus treatment and sound therapy continue to provide new hope for tinnitus sufferers.

Tinnitus Treatment and Relief in San Diego

 

If you are one of the millions of people in the world that has tinnitus, knowing the facts is a great first step. Getting help can be just a quick phone call away.

At Best Hearing San Diego, Dr. Pam Best provides compassionate, personalized tinnitus treatment solutions to help patients better manage ringing in the ears and other tinnitus symptoms. If you are searching for an experienced audiologist in San Diego for tinnitus relief, scheduling a comprehensive tinnitus evaluation can help identify the best treatment options for your unique needs.