Tinnitus is a hearing sensation that is perceived even in a silent environment. Certain individuals will perceive a roaring sound, such as a motor, whereas others may perceive a more crackling sound. It is estimated that nearly 5 to 15% of the adult population is affected by tinnitus. Although it is known to cause different levels of discomfort in certain individuals, tinnitus is generally not harmful, but requires special attention.
Many factors may increase the risk of developing tinnitus. The most common are the ones related to prolonged exposure to loud noise without protection. For example, industrial and construction workers, musicians, people who listen to music at a very high level of volume, etc.
There are also physiological causes:
People who received cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, may also experience tinnitus. It is important to be cautious withchildren who received this type of treatment, as they may be at risk of developing tinnitus.
Once the general practitioner or ORL establishes a tinnitus diagnostic, the audioprosthetist may propose, concertedly with the audiologist, certain solutions to reduce the effects. To this day, there is no treatment to cure tinnitus.
However, it is possible to manage the inconveniences caused by tinnitus with hearing aids or noise generators. Studies have shown that psychological support may be beneficial for tinnitus management. In fact, by calming and restructuring thought patterns, some people have seen their tinnitus effects reduced in their daily lives.
Furthermore, certain factors may worsen the condition; for example, stress, fatigue and noise exposure. It is also recommended to reduce excessive noise exposure by wearing hearing protection.
If you experience ringing in the ears, the first step is to have your hearing tested. During the visit, the health care professional will examine your ears and test your audition. Most people who show signs of tinnitus also have a hearing loss that is often the cause of this condition.
A follow-up with your doctor or ORL specialist would also be required to evaluate medical issues and validate hearing problems.