What Is Tinnitus?
At Vibrant Hearing, we offer expert to the Western Montana community. Though the common misconception about tinnitus is that it’s a disease, tinnitus is actually a medical condition characterized by persistent ringing in one or both ears that can only be heard by the affected individual.
Many who suffer from tinnitus describe the annoying sound as ringing in the ear, but a whistling, hissing, buzzing, or pulsing sound is also possible. For some, these sounds come and go. But most are not that lucky, and will experience symptoms 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These phantom sounds may cause only a slight annoyance, or they may severely disrupt everyday life. The American Tinnitus Association estimates more than 50 million Americans suffer from at least occasional bouts of tinnitus.
There are a number of tinnitus causes, including:
- Exposure to loud noise
- Certain medications
- Diet
- Head trauma
- Stress
- Eardrum blockage
- Jaw joint disorders
- Hearing loss
The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise for a prolonged period of time. In this case, your hearing may be temporarily or permanently damaged, depending upon the severity of the sound.
Start HereOptions for Residents of Western Montana
While there is currently no cure for tinnitus, the professionals at Vibrant Hearing will work closely with you to identify potential causes for your specific symptoms and reduce the impact of tinnitus on your daily life. Because your tinnitus symptoms are personal and unique in nature, an in-depth evaluation will help us create a specialized treatment plan for you.
We offer several different options, including:
- Premium Hearing Technology – The top treatment for those who experience hearing loss, which can both improve overall hearing ability and eliminate the perception of ringing.
- Masking – An electronic device called a masker may be worn to distract from the ringing sensation. Maskers fit in the ear similarly to hearing aids and produce low-level sounds.
- Sound Therapy – Our therapeutic process is a combination of sound therapy and counseling, which alters the brain’s neural signals and weakens the perception of tinnitus, allowing you to live your daily life far more peacefully.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – A type of counseling that helps to change the body’s emotional reaction to tinnitus by altering negative thought patterns and helping to relieve stress.
If you would like to learn more about our options, contact Vibrant Hearing today.
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