No doubt many people have experienced a ringing in their ears for a short while. Usually, this happens after exposure to loud volumes at a rock concert or in a manufacturing plant. Typically, the ringing will subside, and normal hearing is restored after a brief period. However, for some people, buzzing, ringing, or high-pitched whistling is a constant and persistent problem. People who experience constant ringing in their ears suffer from what health professionals call tinnitus. Tinnitus is a medical condition that is not caused by an outside source. If left untreated, it can lead to a series of other issues.
The most common form of tinnitus is subjective tinnitus, where patients experience a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears. This type of tinnitus is usually also associated with hearing loss. Tinnitus and hearing loss can develop gradually over time or appear suddenly. Usually, factors that lead to auditory damage and eventually tinnitus include exposure to loud noises or deterioration due to normal aging processes. While there is no cure for tinnitus, several treatment options may be available to help treat tinnitus symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with this condition.
As most people with tinnitus also experience some hearing difficulty, many patients benefit from treatments for both their hearing loss and tinnitus. Solutions such as medications, hearing aids, acoustic therapy, and behavioral therapy have proven successful. Tinnitus is unique to every individual, and the treatment options and conditions will vary based on a combination of factors. Tinnitus can occur at any age. Unfortunately, when tinnitus is associated with younger adults, the side effects can also be mental health issues. Let’s take a look at the link between tinnitus and mental health.
Mental Health Disorders
Tinnitus has been linked to a series of widespread psychological issues. Once this occurs, the patient will require treatment for both tinnitus and mental health. Many people with tinnitus have reported insomnia and feelings of fear or anger. The constant ringing noises can lead people to experience self-esteem issues while interacting with others. In turn, this can lead to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of tinnitus can often lead to feelings of isolation and social withdrawal as tinnitus can cause people to avoid situations where it’s difficult to hear.
Many facilities can offer mental health treatment for those suffering from tinnitus. Charlie Health, as an example, offers virtual intensive outpatient programs for a host of mental health conditions. These programs focus on therapy for anxiety in social settings as well as loneliness and can help address some of the problems that arise from tinnitus symptoms. Of course, patients also need to seek treatment for tinnitus.
Treatments
Tinnitus affects about 20 million people in the United States with permanent ringing in the ears. As discussed, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments to help ease tinnitus symptoms. Without treatment and therapy, the constant noise in the ears can be debilitating. It can impact the quality of life and even interfere with brain function.
Many people with tinnitus have turned to dietary supplement options, a natural solution for coping with tinnitus. Tinnitus911, for example, combines hawthorn berry, hibiscus, olive extract, and niacin to help target the cause of tinnitus. Herbal supplements can help ease the symptoms of tinnitus and target the headaches, migraines, dizziness, and nausea associated with it.
To treat tinnitus, hearing specialists and other healthcare providers use a variety of methods and techniques. Hearing aids are often suggested as a way to improve hearing deficiencies. Additionally, doctors try to reduce or mask the ringing or buzzing. Low doses of anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants can also help.
Tinnitus can be a debilitating disorder with much more serious consequences such as anxiety, depression, and eventually dementia. Treatments plans for tinnitus should focus on the hearing issues as well as the associated mental aspects. Early prevention and hearing screening will also help to mitigate some of the long-term consequences.