Tinnitus can develop gradually or appear seemingly out of nowhere. The most common cause is sensorineural hearing loss, due either to aging or exposure to loud noises. Other potential causes of tinnitus include:
Many people hear ringing in their ears immediately following a concert, but this is typically a temporary effect and distinct from chronic tinnitus. However, ringing in the ears is a good reminder to always wear proper ear protection, as frequent exposure to excessively loud sound—including workplace noise, high-intensity music, power equipment or firearms—can lead to hearing loss.
Always consult a medical professional to determine whether your tinnitus is an indicator of a more serious health condition.
Tinnitus typically takes one of three forms:
A fourth type of tinnitus, known as objective tinnitus, is characterized by noises that can be heard by not only the affected individual, but others, as well. But this is an extremely rare condition.
No, there is not currently a cure for tinnitus. However, there are many effective treatment options that can reduce or eliminate the symptoms. If you’re experiencing tinnitus caused by hearing loss, you should consult a hearing care professional as soon as possible. Left unmanaged, tinnitus can cause problems with sleep and concentration or even lead to mood changes.
Some of the treatment options for tinnitus include:
For those with age-related hearing loss, tinnitus is often related to the loss of ambient sounds. By restoring those ambient sounds to an individual (if the hearing loss is in the same frequency range as the tinnitus), hearing aids may effectively eliminate the symptoms of tinnitus.
In addition, Beltone hearing aids are compatible with the Tinnitus Calmer app. This innovative app can help you manage your tinnitus by distracting your brain with focused sound therapy and interactive experiences. Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices, the app allows you to customize and layer sounds based on your relaxation preferences.
Click the link below to book a free appointment with a Beltone hearing care professional and begin your journey to better hearing.
Visit any Beltone Hearing Care Center to discover just how simple it is to improve your hearing.
You can also take our online hearing assessment to get a head start on your free appointment—we’ll forward your results to your local Beltone office. The results will help your hearing care professional begin the process of determining your level of hearing loss and which hearing aids are right for you.
