What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ears without an external source. While not a disease, it can be linked to hearing loss, sinus issues, or other conditions. At the Charleston Sinus Center, we provide expert evaluation and treatment to help relieve tinnitus and improve quality of life.
Tinnitus (ten-ih-tuss) causes an individual to hear a sound without the actual presence of an external
source of the sound. Many with tinnitus report hearing sounds such as ringing, clicking, buzzing, hissing,
or roaring at various pitches and frequencies.
The severity of tinnitus is determined by how loud the sounds are, and whether or not they are
interfering with your ability to hear or perform daily functions. Typically, an individual will notice that
their symptoms worsen at night, which is due to a lack of other external sounds to detract from the
continuous sounds created by the tinnitus.
Causes
Potential Causes of Tinnitus
There are millions of people who will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives. There are many possible causes for a patient’s tinnitus, including:
- Gradual hearing loss with age
- Hearing trauma caused by exposure to loud noises
- Poor sleep quality
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Ear and sinus infections
- Meniere’s disease
- A condition of the thyroid, heart, or blood vessels
- Medications
- Hormone changes
- Tumors of the brain
Evaluation and Diagnosis
Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a symptom associated with another underlying condition. If a patient’s tinnitus can be directly linked to another cause, then it is known as secondary tinnitus. On the other hand, if no cause can be identified apart from hearing loss, then the individual is determined to have primary tinnitus, which is the most common form.
As a case of tinnitus is being investigated, the patient will often undergo a series of tests to determine the source. An audiogram is usually performed to measure the individual’s current hearing abilities, and additional scans may be necessary if the tinnitus is believed to be secondary to another underlying condition besides hearing loss.
Why Choose Us?
- Board-certified ENT & sinus specialists
- State-of-the-art endoscopic technology
- In-office minimally invasive options like Balloon Sinuplasty
- Comprehensive care plans: diagnosis, surgery, and long-term management
- Proven results: 85% success rate with sinus surgery
Treatment for Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a difficult condition to treat. A quick google search will reveal a plethora of “miracle” cures, personal journeys, helpful tips, not-so-helpful tips, time sinks, money sinks, and conflicting advice. The
truth is, tinnitus usually is a side effect of permanent hearing loss, and there is no single “cure.” However, that does not mean that relief cannot be had. Often, many patients find that over time, having had a proper ENT evaluation, and by understanding the condition, and with use of the few truly helpful techniques, they are able to get on with their lives and be much less bothered by their tinnitus. If you suffer from tinnitus and find it increasingly difficult to live with, it is advised that you seek care from an ENT specialist, such as one of our ENT physicians at The Charleston Sinus Center