5 FAQs About Tinnitus

Many people throughout the world have tinnitus. However, many people do not understand this health condition properly. To help raise awareness and identify symptoms, the following is a list of five FAQs that can help you learn more about this ailment.

1. How many people are afflicted with tinnitus?

It is estimated that around 50 million Americans have at least some degree of tinnitus. This translates to about 15 percent of America’s total population.

2. Does everyone experience tinnitus the same way?

No, people experience tinnitus differently. In fact, the symptoms can be quite different from one person to the next. For example, one person may hear hissing noises in one ear, another person may hear roaring noises in both ears and another still, may hear ringing noises in both ears. So, people can experience tinnitus differently.

3. Are the symptoms of tinnitus present all of the time?

Some people experience the symptoms of tinnitus all of the time. However, others only experience them some of the time. The degree to which a person experiences tinnitus symptoms can vary significantly from person to person.

4. What is the cause of tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of things. Here are some of the things that can cause tinnitus: earwax buildup, infection, head or neck injury, TMJ, exposure to very loud noises either on a short-term or long-term basis, Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, head and neck tumors and a number of others. In order to identify what is causing your tinnitus, you should see your audiologist.

5. Who is at a higher risk of developing tinnitus?

There are a number of people who can be at a higher risk of tinnitus. The elderly are one example, and this is because many elderly people have been exposed to loud noises on a gradual basis over the course of their lives. So, hearing damage may have accumulated with them. Another group of people who can be at a higher risk of developing tinnitus is anyone who is frequently exposed to loud noise. For example, rock musicians, soldiers and demolition workers could fall in this category.

If left untreated, tinnitus can be detrimental to your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist in your area and have your symptoms evaluated by a professional!