You may know of tinnitus as a condition that causes ringing in the ears, but you may not fully appreciate its sounds, causes and treatments. If you find yourself hearing something that no one else can hear, you may need to understand tinnitus.
Symptoms
Tinnitus is generally described hearing something inaudible to anyone else, and without an external source. It is entirely within your own ears. The type of sound can vary widely, with common forms including ringing, roaring, humming, buzzing, clicking and even music.
Causes
Usually, tinnitus symptoms are a sign of something else. Your ears may be blocked by earwax, or you may be actually losing your hearing, whether because of loud noises or as a natural part of aging. It can also be associated with injuries, not just to the ears but also the head and neck. Some autoimmune and vascular chronic illnesses can cause tinnitus, as can some neurological disorders, or it can be a side effect of certain medications.
Treatment
First you need an official diagnosis from a hearing test Cheltenham such as you might find at https://www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/cheltenham/. There is no cure, but tinnitus can be mitigated, sometimes by treating the underlying condition, sometimes by using hearing aids to distract you from the tinnitus noises with a larger range of sounds. Sound generators can be effective. Counselling may help deal with any psychological symptoms like anxiety.
It may not be painful, but tinnitus can be an annoyance, and sometimes it is an indicator of a more serious problem. It is certainly something worth discussing with a professional.
