Have you ever had unexplained ringing or buzzing in your ears? Then you’ve had tinnitus. About 25 million people in the United States experience tinnitus every year. Tinnitus isn’t a disease but a symptom indicating that something is wrong with your auditory system. At Family Medicine Associates, PC, in Thornton, Colorado, the team of health experts can determine the cause of your tinnitus and help you get relief from your symptoms. Call or schedule an appointment online today.
Tinnitus includes any ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound you hear that has no external cause. You may hear these sounds in one ear or both ears, and they may be loud or soft, low-pitched or high-pitched.
These sounds are symptoms indicating a problem related to your auditory system, which includes your ear, auditory nerves, and the areas of the brain that process sound.
Tinnitus is a common symptom that affects millions of people every year. The severity of the symptoms varies, but tinnitus can disrupt daily life, making it hard to concentrate at work or fall asleep at night.
You can develop tinnitus from many causes; some are more serious than others. Common causes of tinnitus include:
Spending extended periods in a noisy environment can also lead to tinnitus. Long-term exposure to loud noise damages the sensory hair cells in the ear, causing noise-induced hearing loss.
Head injuries and whiplash may also cause tinnitus.
If you have tinnitus, you should schedule an appointment at Family Medicine Associates, PC. Though not always a symptom of a serious health condition, tinnitus is a symptom you shouldn’t ignore, even if you’re not bothered by the ringing.
During your visit, your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms, work-life, home-life, and medical history. They perform a physical exam, closely examining your ears, nose, and throat.
They may also perform a hearing test.
The Family Medicine Associates, PC, team customizes treatment for your tinnitus based on the cause. Treatment options might include:
The team may also recommend sound-masking devices. These devices use soft, pleasant sounds to mask the ringing.
If the Family Medicine Associates, PC, team can’t find the cause of your tinnitus, they may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for an evaluation.
Don’t ignore your tinnitus. The team at Family Medicine Associates, PC, can help. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.