Are You Suffering From Any of These Symptoms as a Result of Tinnitus? Call Today for a Consultation.
■ Mild to severe anxiety
■ Depression
■ Insomnia
■ Negative thinking
■ Triggered fight or flight
■ Crying spells
■ Hopelessness
■ Ringing in the ears
■ Suicidal thoughts
Are you growing more isolated? Do you feel like life will never be the same? Are you refraining from activities that you enjoy? Are you fearful of losing your job? Do you find that your thoughts tend to be negative?
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions or symptoms, then we can help. You may be a candidate for Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy, or TCRT.
With over 20 years of clinical experience, Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R developed Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy and founded the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ in response to the growing number of Tinnitus sufferers coming to his private practice.
He discovered that by helping people to retrain and reinterpret the thoughts around their Tinnitus, anxiety and depression symptoms began to improve. But even more important so did the Tinnitus.
What are some traumatic causes of tinnitus? If you have ever experienced a concussion or a traumatic brain injury, you may have noticed your ears ringing for a few minutes or possibly even longer. For instance, blasts or airbag injuries can cause your ears to ring, make you feel dizzy and even result in hearing loss. Almost anyone can suffer a traumatic brain injury, but older people are more likely to suffer from such events.
In the U.S alone, people aged seventy five and older tend to have the highest number of hospitalizations related to brain injuries. The first thing doctors do after such a situation is stabilize their patients. In most cases, it takes time for patients to notice symptoms and signs of Tinnitus or any other audiological disorder. Sometimes, it even takes days or weeks to notice any tinnitus related symptoms.
Patients often don’t pay attention to the hissing sound or think it is normal, only to realize later that they have Tinnitus. If you have had an accident recently that resulted in brain injuries, you should visit a doctor and get a checkup as soon as possible.
TBI is a head trauma that prevents the brain from functioning normally. Most traumatic brain injuries happen because of falls, followed by assaults and car crashes. Any blow, jolt, or bump that causes the brain and head to move back and forth rapidly can cause the brain to twist or bounce inside the skull, resulting in chemical changes.
It can also cause irreversible damage to the cells and result in Tinnitus. It is worth keeping in mind that you don’t necessarily have to get hit directly in the head to get a TBI. Lurching forward at a high pace during a car accident or hitting the brakes too hard can cause brain injuries. Also, you can get a brain injury without losing consciousness, which is quite dangerous as issues like these often go undiagnosed until they get worse.
Doctors often use the term “concussion” to describe a brain injury to parents, as it doesn’t sound too alarming. Still, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury. According to a study, patients aged fourteen or older who went to urban hospitals after suffering from a mild traumatic brain injury were sent home. What makes matters even worse is that these children were not called for a follow up.
Because of this, more than twenty seven percent of the children sent home developed Tinnitus and various cognitive issues that required therapy. If you or someone you know has had an injury like this, ensure a proper checkup.
Auditory Issues Triggered by a Traumatic Injury to the Brain
Here is a list of auditory problems caused by a traumatic brain injury:
Unfortunately, more than fifty percent of people who suffer from traumatic brain injuries develop auditory problems like Tinnitus at some point in their lives. These people often notice phantom sounds like buzzing, ringing, or hissing. If you or someone you know has Tinnitus, make sure to get professional treatment right away.
Stephen Katz Tinnitus Cognitive Center ™ can evaluate tinnitus patients and determine the best treatment. Get in touch with us to book an appointment, and one of our experts will diagnose the root of your condition to formulate a well thought out treatment plan.
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 646-213-2321
What is the relationship between tinnitus and psychological trauma? Tinnitus is a condition in which you experience constant or irregular ringing in the ears. It can occur without a prominent external sound source, as this is what people initially look for when they experience tinnitus for the first time.
The sounds can vary and be similar to ringing or buzzing, such as roaring, clicking, humming, hissing, or others. It is worth mentioning that the condition can begin almost instantly due to various reasons. The first few episodes of tinnitus sounds can make a person highly stressed and full of anxiety. Some people try to cope with it by running here and there, hoping the noises will stop. It can occur due to several different factors, and scientists believe that health conditions, especially the chronic ones in adults, play a huge role when tinnitus manifests symptoms.
Hearing loss, otosclerosis, and inner/middle ear conditions or damages are the common causes of tinnitus. Experts believe that those working in loud environments and constantly exposing themselves to high-pitched noises (such as music or construction) are more likely to develop tinnitus.
Implications of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be subjective, which means that no one other than you will perceive or feel the ringing sensations. It can cause stress and anxiety as it can occur instantaneously without any probable cause. Sometimes trigger set off the noises, which can last from a couple of minutes to a long duration. While the condition remains incurable and experts try to find a permanent solution, various treatment methods can help to manage tinnitus temporarily. The major implication of this condition is that it can affect concentration, sleep, work, daily activities, speech, and communication.
In short, it can make life difficult. Sometimes the tinnitus noises can occur in beats with the pulse and heartbeats. This causes severe loss of focus and concentration while putting the person in a state of uneasiness. This type of discomfort and condition is a rare type of tinnitus known as “pulsatile tinnitus,” for which there is no cure but symptoms-alleviating therapies and medications.
The Relationship between Psychological Trauma and Tinnitus
There are many reasons that tinnitus can occur in a healthy individual, whether a child, adult or older person. While elders remain the most affected by tinnitus, everyone can experience it due to several factors. However, since it involves a psychotherapeutic approach for treatment at various fronts, people believe that psychological trauma and tinnitus have a relationship similar to “cause and effect.”
Tinnitus is a big psychological stress point as it disturbs many aspects of a healthy individual’s life. This condition can put the person in a debilitating situation from lack of proper hearing to phantom sound hallucinations. Many people believe that psychological trauma and abnormal brain activity that takes place in the follow-up can cause tinnitus.
This is the belief as trauma can significantly affect the thought process and cognitive abilities of the brain. Moreover, it can affect the circulatory system of the body, which causes irregular heart diseases, disorders, blood vessel conditions, and other similar issues. Especially brain trauma, which involves direct impact or injury to the head, is one of the prevalent causes of tinnitus. Furthermore, the relation between stress and tinnitus stems from the fact that those who are experiencing it focus more on it than those who don’t.
Therefore, it makes sense that stress can occur due to tinnitus along with an array of different psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, and sadness. We still need evidence of whether psychological trauma can cause severe or chronic trauma as there is a lack of research. Thus, in order to confirm a relation of cause and effect between tinnitus and psychological trauma, experts are doing research and studies into deeper topics and subtopics related to both.
Other Causes of Tinnitus
While there are no concrete conclusions on whether there is a direct connection between psychological trauma and tinnitus, various common causes can lead to tinnitus in people. Take a look at them to see if they coincide with any of your previous or current medical health conditions. Seeking prompt care from a reliable and reputable psychotherapist or psychologist can help to alleviate the symptoms and serious effects of tinnitus (chronic).
Hearing Loss
Ear Wax Buildup
Damage to Ear Cartilage
Ear Infections
Ear Bone Conditions (Stiffness, tumors, abnormal development, etc.)
Neck and/or Head Injuries
Medications (some medicines counter-effect the ear health and make it disturbing for people to experience tinnitus)
Blood Pressure Disorders
High Cholesterol
Cardiovascular Diseases
Brain Diseases
Tinnitus & Psychological Trauma: Conclusion
Do you want an experienced tinnitus specialist to help you with your tinnitus condition and provide the most effective treatment options? You can get in touch with us at the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™. Our expert, Dr. Stephen Geller Katz, has introduced therapies and techniques to help patients manage, and in some cases, cure, tinnitus.
Dr. Katz speaks 5 languages and speaks with tinnitus patients from all over the world. Schedule an easy online consultation today.
What are the main causes of tinnitus? Tinnitus is a widespread condition, and it is a symptom of various illnesses relating to your ear. This condition can affect all age groups, from young children to old-age people. Tinnitus can disturb your quality of life and may cause depression and anxiety. If you have Tinnitus or ringing in the ear, it means that your body is indicating the presence of a problem. You may experience continuous phantom sounds in one or both ears.
Most of the time, people with hearing loss experience Tinnitus. Hearing loss may occur due to exposure to loud noises, or age factor. Hearing loss can also result from an ear infection or any other ear problem. Healthy people who do not have any ear-related issues can also experience Tinnitus.
Many occupations and lifestyle choices can make you prone to developing Tinnitus. To avoid such conditions, you need to take various measures. For instance, if you expose your ears to loud noises in your daily life, you need to wear ear protection. Below are some examples of factors that can elevate the risks of developing Tinnitus.
1. Exposure to Music
If you are constantly listening to loud music, you are at a higher risk of getting Tinnitus. For example, people who play in concerts and bands are more likely to have Tinnitus. To avoid Tinnitus, protecting your ears is essential or try to stay away from the noisy environment if you can. If you work in an area where continuous loud music plays often, you should consider getting earmuffs to cancel the outside noise.
In most cases, you can see that people working with heavy machinery have higher chances of developing Tinnitus. It does not matter if you are used to working in a noisy environment. You must not forget that damage can appear at any stage of life in the form of Tinnitus. You should always protect your ears with noise reduction headphones or earplugs.
3. Exposure to Loud Bangs
Exposure to loud bangs can damage your membrane in the cochlea. Soldiers who use weapons with loud bangs have a high risk of developing Tinnitus.
4. Using Earphones
Listening to music on your headphones can place you at a high risk of developing Tinnitus. Headphones can affect your hearing in the same way as any other noise does. Nonstop music can also cause cochlear hair cells to bend, and consequences can be severe. You should follow the 60/60 rule while listening to music. You should practice not to raise the volume above 60%, and secondly, you should take a break after every 60 minutes.
5. Stress
Stress can cause Tinnitus and many other serious health conditions. Continuous pressure may affect your brain functionality and also cause your sensory part in the brain to work abnormally.
6. Smoking
It might come to you as a surprise, but smoking can contribute to your Tinnitus noises as well. Smoking can affect your middle ear lining and the Eustachian tube. Nicotine interferes with the neurotransmitters present in the auditory nerve. These neurotransmitters tell your brain which sounds to hear. Any damage to the region that contains these sensitive organs can result in hearing loss or Tinnitus.
Call The Tinnitus Cognitive Center About Your Tinnitus
To know more about Tinnitus and its’ causes, you need to visit a Tinnitus treatment specialist. Tinnitus is not a symptom of just one or two health conditions. In fact, many diseases, ear infections, or injuries can lead to ringing sounds in your ear.
Can you get tinnitus because of your location? A person with tinnitus hears ringing, buzzing, whistling, hissing, or chirping when no physical sound is present. This condition is usually a symptom of either auditory or respiratory-related problems. Tinnitus can cause serious difficulty in sleeping and concentration. The severity of tinnitus can range from mild inconvenience to life-changing condition.
What Causes Tinnitus
Prolonged exposures to noise are the leading cause of tinnitus. Over 90% of tinnitus patients have induced hearing loss. What happens is that the cochlea in the ear gets permanent damage because of noise. The severity of the damage depends on the exposure of noise. Pilots, street repair workers, carpenters, and rock musicians are at high risk of developing tinnitus.
Other conditions and problems can induce tinnitus too. Ear and throat infections cause blockage in the ear and can aggregate the build-up of ear wax. The build-up of ear wax can easily lead to mild tinnitus, which can grow severe if not treated within time. Other ear and respiratory conditions can be an underlying cause of tinnitus like hyperacusis, bronchitis, and respiratory obstruction.
Natural aging process deteriorates the cochlea and other parts of the ear. Tinnitus is also a potential side effect of certain antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and quinine medications.
Location: Chances of Tinnitus in Noisy Places
By now, you know how exposing yourself to noise and living in noisy areas can turn out to be very bad for your ears. If you live in a very noisy place, you have fair chances of developing tinnitus. This is one of the reasons people should not live too near to a train stations, construction sites, and airports.
If you frequently go to attend concerts and music shows then you might want to cut down on that a little. If your work requires you to live most of your day or night in the club where there is loud thudding of music, you are at high risk of developing.
People working in garbage disposals throughout the day are also likely to suffer from tinnitus later on. Similarly, people who live or work at or near jet flyovers are at a huge risk of damaging their cochlea and developing tinnitus.
Most importantly, you should have ear protection such as earplugs and earmuffs. If you work at airport and construction sites, then make sure you use high-quality ear protection. If you already experience hearing loss, then use a hearing aid to restore your hearing.
Use headphones or earphones that provide noise-canceling option when you have to listen to music or other audio content.
Preventive Measures
If you live at or near any of the places mentioned above, then you must change your locality. If your career demands you to live or work in such places, you must take extra care and precautionary measures to prevent ear damage.
Install soundproof windows where you live or work. Heavy curtains on windows can help block some of the noises. Carpets can absorb noises to an appreciable extent. Installing thick carpets is a very good idea to avoid the echo of noise. Fill in the empty spaces with furniture and stuff that can absorb or block noise to a little extent.
Treatment
It is best to get in touch with a proper ENT specialist or an Otologist, so they can examine your ear and help you take preventive measures. If you experience tinnitus then contact us at 646-213-2321to book a consultation. Treat your tinnitus with best of our cognitive therapies before it gets too late.
What are some causes if tinnitus? Tinnitus is becoming one of the most prevailing health conditions in the United States. According to a report, around 50 million people in the U.S. are affected by tinnitus at some point in their life. Many people associate it with hearing loss. However, the condition does not result in hearing loss. Instead, tinnitus causes the patient to experience phantom noises, like buzzing, hissing, ringing and clicking.
While it is not the life-threatening illness, people with tinnitus experience difficulty in sleeping and concentrating. Eventually, the condition may interfere with personal and work relationships, which may further results in psychological distress. In severe case, patients become sensitive to sound.
Causes of Tinnitus – Types of Tinnitus
If left untreated, the condition may become worse. However, several therapies can help improve symptoms. Generally, patients may experience one of the two kinds of tinnitus- objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus.
Subjective Tinnitus
The subjective tinnitus, on the other hand, is the condition in which only a patient can hear the noises. Well, this type is most prevalent of all. It can be inflicted by ear problems in your inner, outer, and middle ear. In addition to that, subjective tinnitus can be caused by the problems of auditory nerves. Furthermore, when your brain interprets auditory signals as sound, it can lead to subjective tinnitus.
Objective Tinnitus
The objective tinnitus is what your tinnitus specialist will be able to hear during your examination. Objective tinnitus is the rare type that may result from muscle contractions, blood vessel issue, and a middle ear bone problem.
What are the Causes of Tinnitus?
When it comes to the causes of tinnitus, a large number of health conditions may result in tinnitus; the exact cause for tinnitus has not been found. However, when your inner ear’s hair cell damage, it may lead to tinnitus. Not to mention, the fragile, tiny hairs in your ear move with the pressure of the sound waves that trigger the cells to send a signal to your brain through the auditory nerve.
Your brain interprets the received signals as sound. Damaged or broken inner ear hair can release electrical impulses to your brain, which cause tinnitus. In addition to that, other causes of tinnitus include chronic health conditions, ear problems, and injuries that affect your auditory nerves. In many cases, patients may struggle with tinnitus due to the following conditions:
· Aging Issues
With age, your hearing may become worsen. Usually, people around the age of 60 experience hearing loss. However, tinnitus caused due to hearing loss is referred to as presbycusis.
· Ear Bone Problems
Stiffening of middle ear bones can also lead to tinnitus, affecting your hearing. Note that, this condition is caused by the abnormal growth of the bone in your middle part.
· Earwax Blockage
Earwax protects your ear and prevents the growth of bacteria by trapping the dirt. However, the excessive buildup of earwax may irritate the eardrum, which further leads to tinnitus.
· Exposure to Loud Noise
Loud noises are common causes of hearing problems. The loud noise from chain saws, heavy equipment, firearms, and MP3 can cause tinnitus.
The Takeaway
Whether you have been struggling with mild symptoms of tinnitus, or have been experiencing the severe health conditions related to tinnitus, do not neglect your health issue and schedule an appointment with Tinnitus Treatment Specialist immediately.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 19 West 34th Street Penthouse Floor New York, NY 10001
A question often asked is whether tinnitus a symptom of hearing loss? While most commonly linked to hearing loss, tinnitus is not always directly related to hearing loss. Whether or not the condition results in hearing loss, it is currently incurable. Clinics such as the tinnitus Cognitive Center can help you deal with the side effects.
What causes Tinnitus?
The exact cause is never found for most people with the condition. The audial canal contains many delicate nerves and fibers that are easily damaged. Once the hairs in your inner ear are bent, they can transmit unwanted electrical signals to the brain which results in the whooshing, musical noise, or ringing often associated with tinnitus.
For the majority of those afflicted, excessive noise causes the condition. Due to this, up to 90 percent of people experience hearing loss in large part due to damage to the sound-sensitive cells and inner ear.
Other causes of tinnitus include respiratory, chronic health problems, head or neck injuries, benign tumors, and infections. In this case, it is recommended to contact a doctor.
Tinnitus is also linked to earwax blockage, bone changes, and age. Furthermore, certain medications also cause phantom noises. Hearing loss is not correlated with all of these issues.
Is Tinnitus a symptom of hearing loss?
Those experiencing hearing loss do indeed suffer from tinnitus. The absence of audiological input is a direct cause of the condition.
Studies have found that as many as 15.8% of people experiencing tinnitus had hearing loss across all frequencies and 83 percent lost a degree of hearing in higher frequencies.
Still, with a large number of causes, tinnitus is not necessarily a symptom of hearing loss. Even if it is not a symptom, damage to the ear can lead to hearing loss as well.
Can I prevent Tinnitus and hearing loss?
Tinnitus is preventable. Regular exercise and being careful of the level of noise in your environment mitigate the risk of both hearing loss and tinnitus. Long term exposure to noise can easily cause both issues.
Certain professions such as machinists and lumberjacks should always wear ear protection.
While many people can help prevent tinnitus others may be unavoidable to avoid the condition. Certain medications and biological factors may play a role.
How can I manage my related hearing loss and Tinnitus?
There are a variety of ways to control your tinnitus symptoms. Despite being uncurable, it is possible to learn to cope with the side effects. These side effects are potentially devastating and range from anxiety to depression and suicidal thoughts.
Hearing aid manufacturers are starting to develop technologies that help combat hearing loss. Oticon and Signia are just two of the brands working on devices capable of training the nerve in the ear and block certain frequencies.
The most effective therapies are based on an individual’s needs and deal with thoughts and reactions to the symptoms associated with tinnitus.
Many people may ask whether tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss. The Tinnitus Cognitive Center can help answer these questions and provides a unique therapy designed to train your brain to cope with negative thoughts in a way that reduces anxiety and depression. Contact us today for more information.
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Tinnitus can interfere with hearing but doesn’t cause hearing loss. (2015, May 9). Retrieved from https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-severe-tinnitus-can-interfere-with-hearing-but-doesnt-cause-hearing-loss/
Tinnitus is a complex and unbearable neurological condition. Several factors can lead to the development of this debilitating disease; a lot of them are physical while some are caused because of morbidity syndrome. There is plenty of research going on to determine the prevalence of tinnitus in specific age-groups, but the cited documentation does not indicate any particular age-groups for this stressful condition. This chronic disease has taken over many people in its grip – most cannot bear the persistent sound while others have to wear something over their ears. People affected with tinnitus find it challenging to live in this constraint. Continuous ringing in your ears can reduce your quality of life by adversely affecting your cognitive ability and sometimes causes insomnia due to constant buzzing and whizzing.
This overview explains you the leading cause of tinnitus via listed circumstances:
Ear infections
People with preoperative otosclerosis can experience episodes of tinnitus ranging from high pitched to low pitched sounds. However, another auditory disease like otitis media can also be the leading cause of tinnitus. However, you need to keep in mind that even after you recover, tinnitus doesn’t completely vanish without a trace. You will still hear certain types of noises and sounds from time to time. It is essential that you have the condition treated as soon as possible as neglecting the symptoms may lead to permanent hearing disability.
Damaged vestibular system
A vestibular disorder is the leading cause of tinnitus as it causes imbalances between the inner ear and your brain. You will lose your mind-ear coordination due to Meniere’s disease as over secretion of fluid can impact the overall functionality of the ear which results in symptoms of tinnitus.
Loud environmental noises
Factory workers are also at high risk of developing tinnitus. The annoying sound emitted in the workplace can adversely affect the hearing ability of workers. Frequent exposure to loud noise can cause serious injury to the nerve endings that accounts for the visible symptoms of tinnitus.
Presbycusis disorder
The appearance of tinnitus also concerns with an age-related hearing impairment that often called as presbycusis. The older person at high risk to experience this condition because their inner ear core degrades with the passage of time and that makes it highly vulnerable to develop the irreversible effect of tinnitus. This leading factor affects almost 30% of people who come in the ages between 60 to 75.
Nicotine consumption
Smoking is a nasty habit among adolescent and in various age – but what is surprising is that it also contributes to tinnitus. A chain smoker should be aware of such cases as the high amount of nicotine-containing products may harm their hearing ability.
Administered diuretic
We treat disease with the aid of medication and antibiotics, but we don’t have much knowledge about the side effects of drugs. Even food additives contain substances that may harm our hearing ability and constant consumption of these compounds lead to chronic tinnitus occurrence. A recent medical report indicates that the people who are taking aspirin during their course of medication they prevailed tinnitus.
Excess earwax
As you know, earwax works as a barrier against foreign particles and helps the ear to drive out accumulated dirt. People who tend to develop more earwax are highly susceptible to the symptoms associated tinnitus.
Older-adults
Old age people are at high risk of developing tinnitus. When older-adults build tinnitus, they find difficulty in conversation and concentration that make them irritated. Regular screening is recommended for old-age people to stay away from painful tinnitus.
Bottom line
Tinnitus can be combated with the aid of masking devices and ear-protection equipment. But these measures work temporarily; it’s more appropriate for you to go for a regular acoustic checkup to keep these symptoms at bay. Following a healthy routine is the best tools to stay form this severe health disorder.
Call today for a free 15 min phone consultation 646-213-2321
Tinnitus is a perception of a ringing noise in your ears. A fairly common problem, it is observed to affect one in five people. It cannot be classified as a medical condition in itself; however, it can be an indication of underlying health problems.
Although tinnitus is a generally uncomfortable condition it is not necessarily the indication of something serious. Your age may be a contributing factor to the increase in this bothersome noise perception, but when treated properly it will get better.
Tinnitus symptoms may include hearing an external sound, such as ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking or hissing when there is no actual external sound present. In some cases, the noise can be extremely loud and high pitched; in others you might just hear it in one ear. This sensation may not be continuous; you can experience intervals of complete silence.
This noise-perception has two kinds, one in which the noise is only heard by you and the doctor cannot hear it on examination. This kind is known as Subjective tinnitus. Whereas the second is the one in which your doctor will also hear the sound on examination, this is because there is an underlying issue with either your blood vessels or middle ear bone. The second condition is commonly referred to as Objective tinnitus.
Does clubbing cause tinnitus?
How is tinnitus actually caused? The exposure of your ears to loud sounds and noises actually tramples the hair cells in the cochlea and coiled spiral tube in your ear. Hours of heavy music and loud noises tramples the inner ears like heavy boots on shards of glass. This weakens the capability of the cochlea to send proper noise signals to the brain until the hair cells grow back. This prompts the brain to specifically “search” for noise signals from the parts of the cochlea that are still intact. That is primarily what creates an over-represented illusion of external sound which results in tinnitus.
How likely are you to get tinnitus from clubbing?
It is a common occurrence that you will feel a phantom noise in your ears after a night of loud noise. This noise perception continues for a maximum of two days until the hair cells are fully grown and performing. But will the condition persist?
The logic is quite simple, if you are continuously exposing the hair cells in your cochlea to loud noises and they are being trampled repeatedly, they will stop growing back and the “noise” will persist. Hence, yes you are likely to get tinnitus from constant clubbing.
The symptoms vary from patient to patient, one might describe the sound as ringing the other might describe a screeching metal sound. In most cases the symptoms will reduce with time, but, in persistent cases, severe reactions such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety can occur.
A recent study defined the boundaries of sound that can lead to this problem. Exposure to loud noise above 100db for 15minutes and above can be damaging to the ears.
Recommendations
The solution is to extend the time between your club visits and immediately seek medical attention if the noise persists after two days. Book an appointment with the closest LCSW-R in New York City to get a convenient examination and treatment.
Call today for a free 15 min phone consultation 646-213-2321
Tinnitus is a condition that is mainly characterized by hearing ringing, buzzing, humming or hissing sounds in the ear that are not coming from the external environment. Although there is not usually a quick fix for tinnitus, unless it is caused by an easily treatable condition such as a middle ear infection or build-up of earwax, it will usually improve gradually over time. There are a number of treatments for tinnitus available which can help you cope with this condition and better manage the symptoms.
Treating Underlying Conditions:
Firstly, if you are suffering with tinnitus, the best thing to do is speak to your doctor and have them examine your ears to determine whether the condition has been caused by an easily treatable condition. In many cases, tinnitus is a symptom of minor ear issues, such as a perforated ear drum, an infection in the middle ear, or simply a build-up of too much ear wax. If your tinnitus is caused by any one of these conditions, they will usually be easy for your doctor to treat quickly with the appropriate methods, such as a course of antibiotics or earwax draining.
Correcting Hearing Loss:
If you have tinnitus which is mainly caused by age-related hearing loss or otherwise, then dealing with the hearing loss should be the first step to solving the problem. Correcting even minor hearing loss issues can often mean that the parts of your brain which are involved in hearing will no longer need to work as hard when it comes to interpreting sounds; therefore, your brain will not pay as much attention to the tinnitus. The best course of action is to see a hearing specialist who will be able to recommend a suitable course of treatment, such as having a hearing aid fitted or in some cases, surgery.
Counseling and Therapy:
As a continuous condition, tinnitus can often be very disruptive to the life of the patient. Many patients with tinnitus report a lack of focus and concentration due to the sounds that they hear, along with trouble sleeping and in some cases, mental health issues such as depression. Tinnitus counseling can be very useful by helping you to work together with your therapist to understand the condition and find healthy ways of managing and coping with it each day.
Get in touch today to book your appointment for the best tinnitus treatment in New York!
Call today for a free 15min phone consultation 646-213-2321
Although tinnitus is a very common condition, it bothers some people more than others. Some people suffer from a debilitating reaction caused by tinnitus, and this interferes with everything in their lives, including relaxation, work, and sleep.
Stress Is Related To Tinnitus
People who are under a lot of stress tend to find that their tinnitus is very troubling.Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R is an experienced tinnitus treatment psychotherapist, who uses relaxation techniques as part of the treatment of patients with this condition.
Causes of Stress
When treating your tinnitus, Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, a Manhattan psychotherapist who treats many patients with tinnitus, can help you identify the factors that are contributing to your stress level. Anxiety is a symptom of stress.
You may feel that your stress is the direct result of something that is happening in your life, but the cognitive behavior therapy model shows us that it may really be just the way you are thinking about these events and circumstances that result in stress and anxiety.Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-Rhelps patients learn to think more productively to reduce the impact of stressful events and situations.
The Way You Think About Tinnitus Can Make You Anxious
Some people respond to tinnitus in a very calm way. In reality, they are likely to have the same level or type of tinnitus as others who are more disturbed by the condition. Studies have shown that people who have the most difficulty in their lives as a result of tinnitus think about their condition hopelessly, and ruminate about its persistence. This increases stress, which is also often associated with worsening symptoms, so it becomes a vicious circle.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R helps patients with tinnitus develop better coping skills, which results in stress reduction. Stress reduction usually results in diminished symptoms.
Learning How To Reduce Tinnitus Anxiety
If you are constantly upset by persistent tinnitus, your attention will focus on the annoying sensation. You may feel that it is a threat to your health or even to your sanity. A trained tinnitus psychotherapist can help you reduce this helpless feeling, by putting tinnitus into perspective and by helping you change your thoughts, physical reactions, and behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus
A trained tinnitus psychotherapist, Stephen Geller Katz has successfully treated many patients in Manhattan and greater New York City, by helping patients with evaluation of distressing thoughts. Many patients find that distressing thoughts about tinnitus may really be an exaggeration of the problem, or may be based on untrue assumptions. Becoming aware of these anxiety-provoking patterns will allow you to change your thoughts and this will help you deal with tinnitus, which is a chronic condition.
Relaxation Techniques Reduce Stress and Tinnitus Anxiety
It’s sometimes difficult to relax when you are very anxious. A highly trained Manhattan psychotherapist, Stephen Geller Katz helps his patients learn relaxation techniques and when to use them to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus over time.
New Habits Can Improve Your Outcome
Forming new habits may help you manage your tinnitus, by creating another focus for your attention. Behavioral changes can also reduce your stress level. Stephen Geller Katz often suggests patients with tinnitus use positive behaviors like exercise or enjoyable activities to take the focus away from the ringing in your ears. Stephen Geller Katz recommends using all available support networks to get the support you need as you live with this condition. Call 646-213-2321 Today For Help With Tinnitus!
If you suffer from tinnitus, you may need professional help to reduce the problems tinnitus is causing in your life. Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R is a renowned Manhattan tinnitus treatment psychotherapist. Call today to schedule your consultation for tinnitus treatment.
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is inner ear cell damage. Tiny, fine hairs in your inner ear oscillate in relation to pressure of sound wave pressure. This causes cells to signal auditory nerves to your brain. The brain then reads these signals as sound. If the hairs inside your inner ear are damaged, they can emit random electrical signals to your brain and trigger tinnitus.
Other causes of tinnitus include other auditory problems, certain chronic health problems, brain injuries and injuries or conditions that have an impact on the nerves in your ear or the hearing brain center.
Common causes of tinnitus
In many people, tinnitus is caused by one of these conditions:
Cumulative exposure to loud sounds. As stated earlier, loud sounds, such as from certain equipment, gunshot and artillery, power saws, are common causes of hearing loss. Portable music devices, used with ear buds, headphones or loudspeakers, can also cause hearing loss if played at high volumes for long periods of time. Listening to loud music with unprotected ears in bars, clubs or amplified music from concerts or shows, or listening to music from home loud speakers can also cause tinnitus. Tinnitus following short-term exposure, going to a loud club or concert, will in most cases be a short-term consequence. Long-term sound exposure can cause more long-term damage.
Hearing loss. For many of us hearing worsens as we get older, with the onset being around age 60. Reduced hearing capacity can also cause tinnitus.
Earwax. Your ear canal is shielded by earwax which traps dirt and slows the growth of bacteria. A buildup of too much earwax may cause hearing loss or irritation to the eardrum, which can also lead to temporary tinnitus, easily remedied by removing the earwax blockage.
Ear bone changes. Otosclerosis, or hardening of the middle ear bones, may have a negative impact on hearing, and also trigger tinnitus as well. Otosclerosis, research has shown, tends to be hereditary.
Meniere’s disease. Tinnitus may also be a symptom Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder that can also cause vertigo and other symptoms.
TMJ disorders. Jawbone problems at the tempero-mandibular articulation point, where the jawbone meets your skull, can cause tinnitus.
Head injuries or neck injuries. Head traumas, concussions or neck injuries can affect the inner ear, usually causing tinnitus in only one ear.
Acoustic neuroma. Is a non-cancerous benign tumor developing on the cranial nerve that runs from your brain to your inner ear, and controls balance and hearing functions. Also called vestibular schwannoma, this condition generally causes tinnitus in only one ear.
Dental Work. Dental work can also cause tinnitus. There is also research to indicate that dental fillings containing mercury and other metals are a cause of tinnitus.
Other rarer causes of tinnitus:
Blood vessel disorders causing tinnitus – Pulsatile tinnitus is a rarer type of tinnitus caused by certain blood vessel problems. Pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by the following:
Head or neck tumors. Pressure on a blood vessel as a result of a tumor in your head or neck, may result in several symptoms including tinnitus.
Atherosclerosis. An accumulation of cholesterol and other fatty deposits due to the aging process may also cause blood vessels to occlude in both the middle and inner ear resulting in loss of vascular elasticity. As a result, blood flow through the vessels is pumped with more pressure, enabling you to sometimes hear the actual beats. This type of tinnitus is generally experienced in both ears.
High blood pressure. Emotional stress, caffeine and alcohol can aggravate hypertension and increase tinnitus levels.
Turbulent blood flow. Narrowing or partial occlusion of a carotid artery or jugular vein in the neck can cause irregular blood flow and in turn cause tinnitus.
Malformation of capillaries. Tinnitus may also be caused by arteriovenous malformation (AVM), when abnormal connections form between arteries and veins.
This type of tinnitus is primarily found in only one ear.
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