Tinnitus Treatment That’s Tailored to You

Have you noticed an occasional or persistent ringing or buzzing sound that only you seem to hear? That’s tinnitus, a common medical condition that can affect one or both ears. If you’re dealing with it, you’re far from alone—approximately 50 million Americans suffer from some tinnitus, according to the American Tinnitus Association.

But while this condition can be annoying at best and debilitating at worst, it is possible to manage tinnitus and alleviate symptoms. Western Montana residents trust the experts at Vibrant Hearing for tinnitus treatment plans personalized to meet their unique needs.

Causes of Tinnitus

Although tinnitus is often associated with hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud noises, many factors can trigger the constant ringing in your ears. These include:

• Head injuries: A head injury can damage nerves or inner ear structures, disrupting sound signals and leading to ringing or buzzing sensations known as tinnitus.
• Eardrum blockage: A blockage in the eardrum, like earwax buildup, changes ear pressure and sound perception, sometimes causing persistent ringing or humming noises.
• Jaw joint disorders: Jaw joint disorders like TMJ can strain nearby nerves and muscles connected to the ear, which may trigger or worsen tinnitus symptoms.
• Stress: High stress levels can heighten your body’s sensitivity to sound and exacerbate tinnitus, making ringing or buzzing noises seem louder and more persistent.
• Your diet: Certain foods or drinks, like caffeine, alcohol, or salty items, can affect blood flow and nerve activity, sometimes intensifying tinnitus symptoms.
• Hearing loss: Hearing loss reduces sound input to the brain, which may cause it to create phantom noises to compensate, leading to tinnitus.
• Medications: Some medications, including certain antibiotics and pain relievers, can damage inner ear cells or nerves, potentially resulting in tinnitus.

Whatever the underlying issue is that’s causing your tinnitus, you must evaluate your overall lifestyle choices. You’d be surprised at how many people report fewer tinnitus symptoms following therapy, adopting a healthier diet, or leading a less stressful life. You have the power to improve your hearing!

Types of Tinnitus

Many types of tinnitus may cause you to have hearing issues. It’s vital to understand which type you may have to personalize your treatment of the disorder better.

Subjective Tinnitus

The most common type of tinnitus, subjective, is heard only by you and is often caused by hearing loss, loud noise exposure, or nerve issues in the ear. It’s usually linked to hearing loss, noise exposure, or age-related changes in the auditory system. Stress and specific health conditions can exacerbate the issue. Treatments focus on sound therapy, hearing aids, and counseling to help manage its impact on daily life.

Objective Tinnitus

Objective is rare and audible to doctors. It’s usually caused by internal body sounds, like blood vessel problems or muscle contractions near the ear.  Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying physical cause, and it can sometimes result in a complete cure.

Somatic Tinnitus

Somatic is influenced by body movements or muscle tension, like jaw clenching or neck strain, and symptoms often change when you move or press certain areas. Physical therapy, posture correction, and relaxation techniques can sometimes help reduce these symptoms.

Pulsative Tinnitus

This type of tinnitus pulses in sync with your heartbeat and is caused by several heart and blood flow-related illnesses, such as:

• Blood vessel disorder
• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol buildup in the circulatory system
• Head or neck tumors
• Turbulent blood flow
• Capillary malformation around the ear

Unfortunately, no one has yet discovered a cure for tinnitus. But there are many ways for the professionals at Vibrant Hearing to help you learn to block out the noise with a tinnitus treatment plan.

Getting Help for Your Tinnitus

Wondering what helps tinnitus? You may be surprised at the variety of practices and activities that can help you effectively manage your condition. Vibrant Hearing will conduct diagnostic testing and an in-depth evaluation of your symptoms to understand how you’re being affected—and how to create the best tinnitus treatment plan for you. We will recommend the use of cutting-edge technologies or implementing specific lifestyle changes that have been proven to help alleviate the ringing in your ears. These include:

• Personal hearing systems: These devices amplify external sounds and can reduce the contrast between tinnitus and background noise. You may hear more clearly than ever before!
• Masking devices: Imagine hearing a gentle ocean breeze instead of the sound of buzzing or ringing. A masking device can cover tinnitus, helping distract the brain and providing relief.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps change negative emotional responses to tinnitus. You’ll learn coping strategies so the sound becomes less distressing and easier to manage daily.

Seek Tinnitus Treatment Today

Reach out to Vibrant Hearing today to learn more about your tinnitus treatment options and schedule an appointment at our clinic in Missoula, MT.