Graham Walker
Understanding Tinnitus: Types, Causes, and Relief with Hearing Aids
If you’ve ever experienced a persistent ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears, you’re not alone. This condition, known as tinnitus, affects millions of people worldwide. At Walker Hearing Clinics, we understand how frustrating and overwhelming tinnitus can be. While there is no universal cure, the good news is that there are effective ways to manage the symptoms – and hearing aids can play a significant role.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus isn’t a condition itself but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. It’s often described as a phantom sound because it’s perceived internally and doesn’t come from an external source. For some, tinnitus is a minor nuisance. For others, it can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult to concentrate or sleep.
Types of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can present in different forms, but it’s generally categorized into two types:
Subjective Tinnitus – This is the more common form of the two types. It can only be heard by the sufferer. It is normally associated with hearing loss.
Objective Tinnitus – This can be heard by someone else but it is much rarer than subjective tinnitus. Your GP or Audiologist may be able to hear the tinnitus with the use of a stethoscope. These noises are produced by the workings of the body. Objective tinnitus is sometimes curable, whereas subjective tinnitus is often not.
Common Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can result from a wide range of factors, including:
Hearing Loss: In older people, tinnitus is often caused by natural hearing loss (presbyacusis). Tinnitus is starting to affect a growing number of younger people as a result of the general increase in noise levels in today’s society.
Medications: Certain types of medication have been known to cause symptoms of tinnitus. If you experience tinnitus and are on regular medication, make sure you speak to your GP to rule out your medication as a contributing factor.
Stress and Anxiety: The British Tinnitus Association says that although it is not always clear whether stress causes the onset of tinnitus, or if stress is a contributing factor of tinnitus, it is common for tinnitus to start at times of high stress or after a period of stress. It is also common for existing tinnitus to become worse during stressful periods.
Identifying the root cause is key to managing tinnitus effectively, which is why a comprehensive hearing evaluation is so important.
How Can Hearing Aids Help?
For many people, hearing aids provide significant relief from tinnitus symptoms. Here’s how:
Amplifying External Sounds: By improving your hearing capabilities, hearing aids can mask the internal noise of tinnitus, making it less noticeable.
Noise Therapy Features: Some modern hearing aids include built-in tinnitus masking programs. These generate soothing sounds, such as white noise or ocean waves, to help reduce the perception of tinnitus.
Improved Communication: Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss, making it harder to follow conversations. Hearing aids can improve overall hearing clarity, reducing the strain on your brain and lowering tinnitus-related stress.
Seeking Help
Living with tinnitus can be frustrating, but you don’t have to manage it alone. At Walker Hearing Clinics, our experienced clinical audiologists are here to guide you through every step of your tinnitus management journey. From identifying the cause to selecting the right hearing aid, we’re committed to helping you find relief.
Ready to take the first step? Book a consultation with our friendly team today, and we will work with you to improve your quality of life.
