Why miss a decibel of life?
Tinnitus
Experts estimate that 17% of the world's population hear sounds which do not in fact exist. They suffer from a condition called tinnitus.
The word tinnitus comes from the Latin for "ringing". Generally, many people describe tinnitus as a ringing noise while others might describe a buzzing, humming, waving or whistling sound. No matter how it is described, those with tinnitus never describe it as pleasant. Simply put, tinnitus is the perception of sound which does not exist.
Tinnitus may be experienced intermittently with varying degrees of intensity, or in the worst case, it might be experienced chronically, in other words, all the time and over long periods of time.
There are a myriad of causes for tinnitus. In some people, the cause for tinnitus can be identified, such as certain medication, and tinnitus can then be eliminated. But more often than not, the exact cause of tinnitus cannot be pinpointed in an individual. In such cases, tinnitus cannot be cured, and only supportive treatments are available.
Studies suggest using hearing instruments can "mask" or suppress the ringing associated with tinnitus. A special hearing instrument called "tinnitus-masker" or "noiser" made for tinnitus can be adjusted or specially programmed to divert attention away from the disturbing sounds in the ear, making it easier to listen to "outside" sounds.
Some therapies include biofeedback and focus on relaxation techniques. Others include cognitive therapies, which counsel patients to cope with the emotional reaction to tinnitus and to help improve quality of life. Your healthcare provider will help you determine exactly which therapy is the right one for you.
More Information about tinnitus:
Causes
Chronic tinnitus arises when the perception of what should normally be a quiet sound in the ear is exaggerated and becomes predominant. The person becomes increasingly aware of the sound and concentrates more and more on it. As the sound becomes louder, the person becomes even more aware of it and focuses even greater attention on it. Anyone who has experienced this vicious circle eventually becomes consumed by the tinnitus for years, and even decades.
Chronic tinnitus begins with a disturbing sound in the ear — originating from:
- Noise
- Infections
- Intoxication
- Cranial trauma
- Diseases (meabolism, circulatory disorders, cervical spine)
Interesting Tinnitus Statistics:
Every second person perceiving disturbing sound in the ear is afflicted with moderate to unbearable tinnitus. Roughly 50% of people with tinnitus are also hearing impaired. Up to 5% of the world's population experiences chronic tinnitus. Many such people reach the point where mental stress caused by persistent tinnitus (not being able to enjoy quiet moments) means they can no longer even sleep or work.
Who can help?
Managing chronic tinnitus requires dedicated commitment form the participating specialists and the individual suffering from tinnitus. To be successful in managing tinnitus, it is important to acknowledge that the tinnitus will probably never completely disappear.
However, through structured counseling and habituation therapy, the symptoms can be dramatically reduced so that the tinnitus no longer dominates the patient's consciousness. It simply becomes another everyday sound.
