Learning Vocabulary
Vocabulary development can vary greatly from child to child. Generally,
The Silent Culprit: How Treating Hearing Loss Can Quiet Tinnitus
At Premiere Speech and Hearing, we’re dedicated to helping you understand and manage your hearing health. In this blog, we’re going to explore the often-overlooked connection between tinnitus and untreated hearing loss, and how addressing hearing loss can lead to relief from tinnitus.
First, What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. Some pronounce it ‘TINN-itis’ and others say ‘tin-EYE-tis’ — both pronunciations are acceptable! It can manifest as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds and can vary in intensity from mild to severe. Tinnitus is very common, affecting millions of people worldwide.
The Link Between Tinnitus and Untreated Hearing Loss
You might be surprised to learn that tinnitus and hearing loss are closely linked. Many people assume these are two unrelated health issues but a study from the Hearing Health Foundation found that up to 90% of tinnitus cases occur in conjunction with some other type of underlying hearing loss. That’s because when sensory cells in the inner ear become damaged, the brain tends to compensate by creating phantom sounds, leading to tinnitus.
Tinnitus can have a significant impact on daily life. It can cause anxiety and sleep disturbances, and it can make it very difficult to concentrate. For some, it might be nothing more that a minor annoyance. For others, it can be absolutely debilitating. The good news is that there are effective ways to manage tinnitus, and addressing hearing loss is a crucial step!
Diagnosing and Treating the Underlying Causes
If you experience tinnitus, especially in one ear with a pulsatile quality (like a heartbeat), we recommend scheduling an appointment for a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
It’s important to understand that tinnitus is a symptom, not a standalone condition. Our comprehensive hearing tests evaluate your auditory system, allowing us to determine if a medical referral is necessary. We work closely with otolaryngologist (ENT) physicians to ensure you receive the holistic care you deserve.
While there’s no cure for tinnitus, there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms. One effective solution is the use of hearing aids. Hearing aids can provide your brain with auditory information you were previously missing. This helps distract your brain from “hearing” the tinnitus and allows you to focus on other sounds.
We have many patients who have experienced significant relief from their tinnitus symptoms with the use of hearing aids! At Premiere Speech and Hearing, we also offer a tinnitus therapy program that helps to address the negative thoughts about tinnitus and ways to change our outlook about tinnitus.
Our team at Premiere Speech and Hearing, we are here to help you understand and manage your tinnitus. Don’t suffer in silence — schedule an appointment today to explore your options for managing tinnitus and improving your quality of life!
