What is Tinnitus?

Although we aren’t entirely sure yet how tinnitus develops, we do know many ways in which it can be caused. More often than not, tinnitus is caused by some kind of change within the ear. This could be a build-up of earwax, a perforated eardrum, an ear infection, or even due to other forms of illness.

If you take medication for any medical conditions you have, it’s worth checking the side effects. Certain medications can cause tinnitus in some patients. If this is the case, consult your doctor and see if an alternative is available.

Outside of medical reasons, tinnitus has also been linked with exposure to loud noises over a prolonged period of time. Musicians often suffer from tinnitus due to this. Loud concerts, nightclubs, or even just listening to your music too loudly can all cause temporary tinnitus. Over time, this can lead to chronic tinnitus. Listen to your music at a sensible level and, if you’re going to a concert or a nightclub, consider wearing musician’s earplugs.

Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a single cure for tinnitus. Questions remain around how tinnitus actually develops, so all we can do is combat the symptoms. That being said, many cases of tinnitus can be cured by dealing with the cause of it. For example, if your tinnitus is caused by a medical condition, it can be possible to get rid of the tinnitus by treating that condition.

It’s worth noting, though, that in roughly 85% of tinnitus cases, some form of hearing loss is present. We’ve found that in many cases, we’re able to manage the hearing loss which leads to the tinnitus subsiding and improving over time. If you’re concerned about tinnitus, the first thing you should do is have your hearing tested. It can sometimes be difficult to notice hearing loss when tinnitus is present. Try our online hearing test and book a consultation to find out how we can help.