Tinnitus is a symptom of what can be a complex hearing condition that often goes untreated because it is not readily diagnosed. Often the person dealing with tinnitus may not fully understand symptoms they are experiencing. Tinnitus symptoms are often described as a ringing in the ears, or as phantom sounds. Tinnitus can often be more complex in how it affects a person’s hearing and how it is perceived
Most people with tinnitus have some form of hearing loss but not everybody with a hearing loss also has tinnitus.
The First Signs: The Link Between Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
It is very common for a person to have a degree hearing loss associated with tinnitus. The underlying hearing loss can range from mild to severe and most often is the result of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise induced hearing loss can regularly go unnoticed over several years slowly worsening until the very first signs of hearing loss become noticeable. This is often the point just before tinnitus progresses to the point where people begin to hear phantom sounds.
Noisy Rooms: a very early indicator of the noise induced hearing loss that can trigger tinnitus is having difficulty understanding conversations with a lot of background noise. The most common example is a busy restaurant.
Difficulty understanding certain voices: hearing loss in the higher frequencies can make some voices more difficult to understand while deeper sounding voices are clearly understood.
High frequency hearing loss is common in cases of noise induced hearing loss.
Quiet Rooms: tinnitus is often first noticed in a very quiet environment.
NOTE: tinnitus does not have to be a steady stream of noise. It can be a seemingly random on and off again symptom that slowly progresses until symptoms become overwhelmingly obvious.
Problems sleeping: Many tinnitus sufferers tell us that when they are in their quiet bedroom, their tinnitus prevents them initiating sleep. Also, getting back to sleep when woken up in the middle of the night can be more difficult. Some clients report their tinnitus is worse first thing in the morning and even after a nap.
Tinnitus Is Complex
The underlying reasons for Tinnitus is complex and so are the needs of the individual living with its effects. The most important thing you can do it detect it early and get professional help immediately.
We Specialize In Treating Tinnitus
Candice Holden (BC-HIS) with 11 years of experience, also holds a Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate from the International Hearing Society. Candice’s tinnitus training focused on tinnitus patient care involving physiology, psychology, measurement, and management of tinnitus.
“When dealing with tinnitus you are not only dealing with the ringing in a person’s ears but also the emotional burden that an individual carries as a result of the tinnitus and the effect on their day to day life.”
Tinnitus Relief - Tinnitus Is Treatable!
Do you or someone you know suffering from the constant ringing of tinnitus? The staff at Polo Park Hearing have been successfully treating people with tinnitus for over two decades. For relief from the agony of tinnitus, book an appointment now by calling (204) 788-1083.