Tinnitus Evaluation | Littleton, CO
Tinnitus is a condition that causes a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other similar sounds in the ears or head. However, tinnitus is not actually a disease in itself. It is more of a symptom of an underlying condition, such as ear injury, hearing loss, or neurological disorders.
How common is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a relatively common condition that affects people across the age spectrum. According to the American Tinnitus Association, approximately 15% of the population has some form of tinnitus, which translates to an estimated 50 million people in the United States alone.
Tinnitus can be temporary or chronic, ranging from mild to severe. It could manifest in either one or both ears. In some cases, it can be a highly distressing condition that could interfere with normal, day to day activities.
As of writing, there’s no cure yet for tinnitus. Fortunately, it can be managed using various methods.
Classifications of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be classified into various types based on its symptoms, causes, and duration.
Being familiar with the different types of tinnitus can help patients and medical professionals come up with appropriate treatment plans to manage the condition effectively.
Below are the various classifications of tinnitus:
- Subjective tinnitus: This is the most common and can be caused by a variety of factors, including age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noises, and certain medications.
- Objective tinnitus: This is less common and can be heard by both the person experiencing it and others in close proximity. Objective tinnitus can be caused by ear muscle spasms, abnormalities in blood vessels, and middle ear bone conditions.
- Pulsatile tinnitus: This is characterized by a rhythmic sound that is usually in sync with the heartbeat. High blood pressure, vascular conditions, and anemia are possible causes of pulsatile tinnitus.
- Acute tinnitus: The onset of this type of tinnitus is very sudden and is often caused by an ear infection or exposure to loud noise. Acute tinnitus may last for a few days or weeks before resolving on its own.
- Chronic tinnitus: As the name suggests, chronic tinnitus is persistent and can occur intermittently for months or even years.
- High-frequency tinnitus: As the name implies, this type of tinnitus is mainly characterized by a high-pitched sound or tone. It is often linked to noise-induced hearing loss.
What’s next after a tinnitus evaluation?
After a tinnitus evaluation, your healthcare provider will discuss with you the results and the possible course of treatments. Management and treatment of tinnitus will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.
If the tinnitus is caused by an existing medical condition, such as an ear infection, perforated ear drum, or high blood pressure, we may recommend treatment for that underlying condition. If ever there is no exact cause found, alternative treatment options may be discussed such as counseling, therapy, and tinnitus management programs.
Tinnitus Counseling
Tinnitus counseling can significantly helpful for patients who are experiencing anxiety or distress related to ringing in the ears. Columbine Hearing Care provides tinnitus counseling to help patients manage the emotional and psychological impact of tinnitus.
The goal of tinnitus counseling includes:
- Educating patients about the causes and effects of tinnitus
- Teaching patients about the process and efficacy of various tinnitus therapy techniques
- Training patients on how to get optimize the benefits of tinnitus therapy and reduce the adverse emotional reaction to the disturbing sounds by identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors
- Altering the body’s reaction to stress using biofeedback and other relaxation techniques.
Tinnitus Evaluation in Littleton, CO
Tinnitus doesn’t have to hinder you from living your best life. The first step to dealing with tinnitus is to get a tinnitus evaluation. From there, a personalized treatment plan can be crafted based specifically on your needs and lifestyle.
Schedule a tinnitus evaluation at Columbine Hearing Care today!