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 the symptoms, causes & risk factors for tinnitus? Tinnitus, often described as a phantom ringing or buzzing in the ears, can be a perplexing and frustrating experience. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and potential impacts equips you to navigate this condition and find relief. Let’s delve deeper into the world of tinnitus.
Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors for Tinnitus
Variety of Causes: Why Tinnitus Develops
The origins of tinnitus are diverse, with some causes more readily identifiable than others. Here are some of the key culprits:
Noise Trauma: Loud noises, a constant threat in our modern world, can damage the delicate hair cells within the inner ear. These hair cells translate sound waves into electrical signals for the brain to interpret. When damaged, they can send out faulty signals, resulting in the perception of tinnitus. This damage can occur from a single loud event, such as an explosion, or from prolonged exposure to loud sounds, like working in a factory or attending loud concerts without proper ear protection.
Ear Infections and Blockages: Infections in the middle or inner ear can cause inflammation and temporary hearing changes, including tinnitus. Similarly, a buildup of earwax can obstruct the ear canal, affecting sound transmission and potentially leading to tinnitus.
Age-Related Hearing Loss: As we age, it’s natural to experience some degree of hearing loss. This decline in hearing ability can sometimes manifest as tinnitus, particularly in older adults.
Medications: Certain medications, particularly some antibiotics, aspirin in high doses, and some chemotherapy drugs, can have ototoxic properties. This means they can be toxic to the inner ear and contribute to tinnitus. It’s crucial to discuss any potential side effects with your doctor before starting a new medication.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: The TMJ joint connects your jaw to your skull. Issues with this joint, such as TMJ dysfunction, can sometimes cause tinnitus. The exact reason for this connection is not fully understood, but researchers believe it may be linked to shared nerve pathways or muscle tension in the jaw radiating to the inner ear.
Underlying Medical Conditions: In some cases, tinnitus can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition such as Meniere’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear, or even head and neck tumors. If your tinnitus is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss in one ear, or facial weakness, consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation.
The Spectrum of Tinnitus Symptoms: What You Might Experience
The hallmark symptom of tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external source. However, the specific characteristics of this sound can vary greatly from person to person:
Variations in Pitch: Tinnitus sounds can range from a high-pitched ringing or screeching to a low-pitched hum or whooshing. Some people experience a combination of different pitches.
Fluctuations in Intensity: The volume of tinnitus can fluctuate throughout the day, sometimes barely noticeable and at other times becoming quite loud and intrusive. Stress, fatigue, and certain environments can all worsen tinnitus symptoms.
Location of the Sound: Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears, sometimes even seeming to originate from inside the head.
The Emotional Toll: Living with tinnitus can be emotionally taxing. Difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and feelings of anxiety and frustration are all common.
Different Types of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be categorized into two main types:
Subjective Tinnitus: This is the most common form, where only the affected individual can hear the phantom sounds. It accounts for roughly 90% of all tinnitus cases.
Objective Tinnitus: This rare form is less common and can be heard by a healthcare professional using a stethoscope during an ear examination. Objective tinnitus is typically caused by underlying vascular issues or muscle spasms near the inner ear.
Tinnitus Risk Factors: Who Might Be More Susceptible?
While anyone can develop tinnitus, certain factors can increase the likelihood:
Exposure to Loud Noises: As mentioned earlier, prolonged or repeated exposure to loud noises is a significant risk factor.
Age: Age-related hearing loss is a common culprit in tinnitus development.
Smoking: Smoking restricts blood flow throughout the body, including the delicate blood vessels supplying the inner ear. This can contribute to tinnitus.
Cardiovascular Problems: Conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis can affect blood flow to the inner ear, potentially leading to tinnitus.
Certain Health Conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, and head injuries can also increase the risk of tinnitus.
By understanding these risk factors, you can take proactive steps to minimize your chances of developing tinnitus.
Stay tuned for Part 2: Managing Tinnitus and Finding Relief
In this blog we’ve explored the main causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with tinnitus. In the next part, we’ll delve into tinnitus management strategies and when to consult a professional for help.
In this easy guide, we will delve into the intricacies of tinnitus, exploring its causes, symptoms, and a range of treatment options designed to provide relief and improve your quality of life. Tinnitus is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, yet its mechanisms and management remain widely misunderstood.
Tinnitus Causes Symptoms and Treatment
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is defined by the perception of sound when no external source is present. These phantom sounds can manifest as ringing, buzzing, humming, or even hissing and can occur in one or both ears. While tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, it can affect individuals with normal hearing as well.
Common Causes of Tinnitus
Understanding the root causes of tinnitus is essential for effective management. Tinnitus can arise from a variety of factors, including:
Hearing Loss
One of the most prevalent causes, hearing loss, whether age-related or noise-induced, can lead to tinnitus.
Exposure to Loud Noise
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds or a single traumatic event can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear, triggering tinnitus.
Certain medical conditions, such as Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, can contribute to tinnitus.
Medications
Some medications, particularly when taken in high doses or over long periods, may cause tinnitus as a side effect.
Common Symptoms of Tinnitus
Tinnitus symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Common experiences include:
Phantom Sounds
Individuals with tinnitus often describe hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other noises that have no external source.
Intermittent or Continuous
Tinnitus can be intermittent, occurring at specific times or continuously, creating a constant presence in one’s perception.
Hearing Impairment
Tinnitus is frequently accompanied by hearing loss, although it can also affect individuals with normal hearing.
Emotional Distress
The emotional toll of tinnitus can be significant, leading to anxiety, stress, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
Treatment Options for Tinnitus
Finding relief from tinnitus involves addressing its underlying causes and managing its impact on your life. Several treatment options are available, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps individuals reframe their thoughts and emotional responses to tinnitus, reducing the distress it causes.
CRT focuses on retraining the brain’s perception of sound, desensitizing it to the tinnitus noise.
Hearing Aids
For those with hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify external sounds, reducing the contrast between background noise and tinnitus.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy uses white noise or other soothing sounds to mask or distract from tinnitus noise.
Lifestyle Modifications
Managing stress, reducing exposure to loud noises, and addressing underlying medical conditions can all contribute to tinnitus relief.
Tinnitus Causes Symptoms and Treatment: Conclusion
Tinnitus can be a challenging and distressing condition, but it is not insurmountable. By understanding its causes, recognizing its symptoms, and exploring a range of treatment options, you can take proactive steps towards finding relief and improving your quality of life. If you or a loved one are struggling with tinnitus, consider seeking guidance from a specialist like Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, who can provide expert advice and tailored treatment options to help you on your journey to quieter days and nights.
Contact Information
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 646-213-2321
All sessions are conducted online. Multiple languages spoken
In this blog post, we will explore some coping strategies and support resources for those living with tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is a ringing, buzzing, or other noise in the ears that is not caused by an external sound. Living with tinnitus can be challenging, but there are ways to cope with the condition and find support.
Tinnitus Coping Strategies and Support Resources
Coping Strategies for Living with Tinnitus
Living with tinnitus can be overwhelming, but there are coping strategies that can help make the condition more manageable. Here are some tips:
Reduce Stress
Stress can make tinnitus worse, so it’s important to find ways to reduce stress in your life. This could include practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, or engaging in regular exercise.
Avoid Loud Noises
Exposure to loud noises can aggravate tinnitus, so it’s important to avoid loud noises whenever possible. If you must be around loud noises, wear ear protection.
Avoid Stimulants
Stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, can make tinnitus worse, so it’s important to avoid them if possible.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for overall health and can help reduce the symptoms of tinnitus. Try to establish a regular sleep routine and create a relaxing sleep environment.
Support Resources for Living with Tinnitus
Living with tinnitus can be challenging, but there are many support resources available for those who need them. Here are some examples:
Tinnitus Support Groups
Tinnitus support groups can be a valuable resource for those living with the condition. These groups provide an opportunity to connect with others who understand what it’s like to live with tinnitus and to share coping strategies.
Here is a random selection of tinnitus support groups from across the internet in 2023:
There are many associations and organizations dedicated to tinnitus research and support. These organizations provide information, resources, and support to those living with tinnitus.
Tinnitus Treatment Specialists
Tinnitus treatment specialists, such as Stephen Geller Katz LCSW, can help those living with tinnitus manage their symptoms and find relief. Tinnitus treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy, retraining therapy, and other techniques.
Tinnitus Coping Strategies and Support Resources
How Stephen Geller Katz LCSW Can Help
Stephen Geller Katz LCSW is a tinnitus treatment specialist who can help those living with tinnitus find relief. He offers cognitive behavioral therapy and retraining therapy to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Dr. Katz speaks 5 languages and all sessions are held online, making treatment accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Call today for a consultation and to learn more about tinnitus treatment options. Don’t suffer in silence – help is available. If you are living with tinnitus and are looking for support, contact:
What is tinnitus? You might have heard a faint ringing in your ear after you were done listening to very loud music. Or perhaps after too many cups of coffee, you could hear a slight ringing in your ears. In both these situations, you are experiencing what is referred to as tinnitus.
While it may seem very concerning at first, tinnitus is complicated to understand since it often has underlying health conditions associated with it. Therefore, to better understand this condition, you will have to understand its underlying health concerns.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the ringing you hear in your ears, regardless of what you did beforehand. Whether the ringing results from you listening to music or an injury, they all fall under the broader category of tinnitus. However, it can also have varying categories where the symptoms on display can differ. Although rare, pulsatile tinnitus is a well know variant where the ringing is in sync with the individual’s heartbeat.
However, the sounds an individual hears do not necessarily have to be high pitched ringing. It can also resemble birds chirping, wind whistling, hissing, or buzzing. Furthermore, the noise that a person hears can either be loud or soft, which often depends on the severity of the condition.
How Serious Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is less a condition on its own and more akin to a sign pointing towards a more serious health condition. So even though very brief ringing after loud noises is never too serious, the ringing becoming too common could be a sign that you have an underlying health issue.
Tinnitus severity can also vary with each person, with some even unable to perform everyday tasks. It can affect their concentration and even lead to them developing other health issues such as depression and insomnia.
What Factors Cause Tinnitus?
It is important to understand that the ringing that most people with tinnitus experience is likely a sign of something more serious. Therefore, by understanding the factors that cause tinnitus, you can learn more about its treatment options.
Hearing Loss
Loss of hearing, whether it is because of loud noise or old age, often results in people developing tinnitus. This cause of tinnitus can be the most difficult to deal with, especially since there is no way to recover an individual’s hearing unless they wear a dedicated hearing aid.
Psychological Causes
Some experts contend that tinnitus is a purely psychological condition caused by various factors including trauma, PTSD, childhood events, and others. Read more about the potential psychological causes here.
Malformation of Blood Vessels
Another reason an individual could have tinnitus is an issue with the blood vessels surrounding their ears. Damage to the blood vessels in any way that restricts blood flow to the inner ear is enough to cause tinnitus in some cases.
Increase in Blood Pressure
Another major contributing factor to tinnitus is the increase in blood pressure. Whether the individual naturally has higher blood pressure or factors like caffeine, alcohol, and stress are increasing, they all can lead to tinnitus. Caffeine and alcohol can especially spike blood pressure levels, making them major triggers of this condition.
Treatment for tinnitus is often multilayered, as physicians must also try their best to discover and treat the underlying health issue. Therefore, treatment options can sometimes include using devices to mask the sounds of tinnitus ringing or getting some combination of counseling and therapy. Cognitive therapies have proven extremely helpful in treating, and in some cases, curing tinnitus.
Conclusion
Tinnitus can be a deeply personal treatment, as individuals often struggle to describe the condition to others. You need to contact a professional when experiencing these symptoms.
Are there health conditions related to tinnitus? Despite being lesser known, nearly 50 million Americans are struggling with tinnitus. However, since people sometimes think that a faint ringing in their ear is fine or natural, less than half of those diagnosed will seek out help.
More importantly, tinnitus is often not the problem since it is more or less a signal that an underlying health condition needs your attention. To help educate people about the health conditions often related to tinnitus.
Common Types of Tinnitus
While tinnitus refers to the noise or ringing people can hear inside their ears, they often fall into two broader categories. These include subjective tinnitus and objective tinnitus. The main difference between the two is that the subjective category is unique to the individual.
But as for objective tinnitus, a medical expert can hear noise in your ear using devices such as a stethoscope. An audiologist will likely perform the tests necessary to determine which category you have.
Each category can have unique causes, with objective tinnitus often resulting from severe muscle spasms. But as for the subjective type, it is more than likely that subjective tinnitus results from factors like aging or exposure to loud noise.
Health Conditions Related to Tinnitus
Tinnitus is often a sign that an individual has other, more serious health conditions for which they should get treatment. Here is a more detailed list of the medical conditions often related to tinnitus.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing tinnitus for various reasons. People with diabetes will already have trouble with their blood flow, which can make them significantly more susceptible to trouble with their hearing.
Elevated blood sugar levels can also lead to people developing tinnitus symptoms.
Higher Blood Pressure
Higher blood pressure can contribute to people developing tinnitus. Of course, it will still contribute to tinnitus if people have naturally higher blood pressure or are in situations where it is likely to rise.
Other factors that can increase blood pressure, such as caffeine and alcohol, are more than likely to spike blood pressure. And when it does, it is not uncommon for people to hear a ringing in their ears.
Ear Infections
If an individual has an ear infection, they are more than likely to have tinnitus. Since blood flow to the ears is restricted during an ear infection, the inner ear will likely develop tinnitus.
Autoimmune Disorders
Another serious health condition related to tinnitus is an autoimmune disease known as lupus. People struggling with autoimmune diseases will eventually lead to peripheral auditory dysfunction, which can lead to hearing a noise in their ears.
People who lose their hearing, whether due to old age or an accident, are most likely to develop tinnitus. The only treatment to deal with this condition is for the individual to get hearing aids to reduce tinnitus symptoms.
Sinus and the Common Cold
Along with various other conditions, tinnitus could signify that the individual has a sinus infection or the common cold. The blocked sinus can restrict blood flow to the ear, but this noise shouldn’t worry you since it is more likely to pass in some time.
Health Conditions Related to Tinnitus: Conclusion
Tinnitus is often a sign that there is another, more serious health condition that you need to get checked for. If the ringing in your ears persists for too long, you should visit a professional immediately.
Is there a relationship between tinnitus and psychology? Tinnitus is a hearing condition in which the affected person perceives sounds that are unrelated to any external source. This means the sound does not acoustically exist in the outside world. Sufferers of tinnitus define tinnitus as a ringing in the ears. However, some others also experience different hyperboles such as whistling, chirping, buzzing, and in rare cases, even musical sounds.
The symptoms of tinnitus vary from person to person in numerous ways. For instance, some people hear a distant noise while others claim the sound is present inside their heads. Not to mention, tinnitus can be constant or intermittent and pulsating or steady.
You should seek medical help if tinnitus starts disrupting your lifestyle.
Tinnitus and Psychology
Although it affects around 50 million people in the US alone, tinnitus has few therapeutic measures. In fact, none of the different treatment options can eliminate tinnitus. Hence, tinnitus is a serious concern that manifests co-morbid psychological stress.
According to various studies and surveys,
Affective disorders like depressive disorder are prevalent among people suffering from tinnitus. In fact, studies also reveal a correlation between the decrease in depressive and tinnitus symptoms.
Anxiety is also high in prevalence among people affected by tinnitus, alongside depression.
Personality disorders are also common among tinnitus patients. These include low self-control, type D personality, low psychological acceptance, high-stress reaction, and worsened well-being and social closeness.
Tinnitus patients also score high on psychoticism, hostility, and paranoid ideation.
Tinnitus also adversely affects executive attention and function, causing cognitive impairment. Affected people also take more time to process and give longer responses.
42% of tinnitus patients also suffer from a somatoform disorder.
Insomnia is also common among tinnitus patients as tinnitus sounds become more noticeable at night.
Stress Caused by Tinnitus
By definition, stress is the result of physical or psychological conditions that threaten the normal function of the human body in any way. Usually, stress is associated with difficulty or inability to manage and control a situation. Frequently, experts see stress to be related to tinnitus and other health-related conditions.
Although tinnitus is the result of damage to the auditory system, emotional and psychological factors also prove a significant role. In fact, emotional and mental exhaustion and stress are strong indicators of how intense and severe tinnitus is for a particular person.
Not to mention, many patients also report that their tinnitus worsens during stressful situations. This evidence suggests that stress and tinnitus are related. In fact, statistics show a probable cause-and-effect relationship between the two.
According to observations, tinnitus patients present psychological distress before or during the onset of tinnitus. In fact, the findings of Gomaa et al. reveal that only 25 out of 100 tinnitus patients don’t experience stress.
Tinnitus largely impinges on an affected person’s quality of life. While some patients only complain about minor annoyance, tinnitus can also result in suicidal attempts in extreme cases. Not only this, but the hearing condition also impairs one’s lifestyle.
For example, you find it hard to focus on work and studies when there are constant ringing sounds in the ears. This results in reduced performance and poor productivity. On the other hand, not getting adequate amounts of sleep and resting properly can cause physical and mental exhaustion.
Not to forget, people also find it hard to hold conversations and interact with others around them due to this hearing condition. This, in turn, also causes emotional difficulties and disruption in social life.
Tinnitus and Psychology: Conclusion
If you think your tinnitus is causing mental health issues for you, you might want to consult a professional. Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, possesses over 20 years of experience in the field. Visit our Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ or give us a call for a consultation.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 19 West 34th Street Penthouse Floor New York, NY 10001
Can the sound disorder known as tinnitus be cured? Do you struggle with tinnitus? Is it affecting the way you sleep, work, and concentrate in your daily life? Experiencing tinnitus can be devastating for some. If you are among those suffering from the physical and mental issues that come with tinnitus, you might be looking for a cure.
Unfortunately, tinnitus remains on the list of incurable health issues and disorders. However, modern treatment options lower the impact and effect of serious tinnitus symptoms, which helps many people cope and ignore the tinnitus noises.
While tinnitus may not permanently go away on its own, it gets better with proper treatment methods. For that reason, we will discuss the most effective methods of treatment and alleviating symptoms of tinnitus.
What Happens in Tinnitus?
Tinnitus sound disorder causes ringing in the ear without any external sound source. This can be debilitating as the affected person might be sleeping, working, or concentrating during any activity, and suddenly tinnitus sounds start buzzing in their ears.
Ringing in the ears is not the only sensation that tinnitus-affected people experience. In fact, several other sounds and sensations may occur in or both of the ears, depending on the severity of the condition.
Humming
Clicking
Roaring
Hissing
Whistling
Whooshing
Common causes of tinnitus include:
Ear damage (infections, disorders, diseases, and other issues)
Ear deformities
Blood pressure disorders
Auditory nerve tumors
Exposure to loud sounds and noises
There are many other causes and factors that experts believe lead to tinnitus. Tinnitus doesn’t only impose physical complications, but it also causes severe mental issues like anxiety, depression, and stress at chronic stages. Therefore, it is imperative to find a remedy to lessen its effect and live a peaceful life while having tinnitus. Below are treatments that help in reducing the effect of tinnitus and managing it.
Treatments for Tinnitus
Medications
There aren’t any prescription drugs present to cure tinnitus currently. The most certain medications can alleviate the symptoms and reduce the effect and pressure of tinnitus noises on your mind and health. These medications work to ease your circulatory system, which puts you at ease and makes you comfortable. Moreover, medication also helps to prevent severe symptoms of tinnitus, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms of chronic mental health issues can arise from prolonged exposure to tinnitus. Hence, they can lead to worsening overall health. Your tinnitus specialist might prescribe some medication to help you prevent just that.
Noise Blocking/Masking Devices
Your doctor or tinnitus specialist might suggest that you use noise-masking devices with other treatment methods. These devices mainly cover tinnitus sounds such as ringing, buzzing, whooshing, whistling, etc. Usually, you may wear these devices over or behind your ear to help as hearing aids.
Such devices include white noise machines, hearing aids, masking devices, and more. When these devices work, they can program certain frequencies to appear less bothersome. Furthermore, you can easily focus on the external sounds that you wish to focus on when these devices mask the unwanted noises.
Therapies include an extensive range of talkative exercises with a psychologist or psychotherapist. Moreover, therapies are effective in regulating your behavior, helping you rethink, and more importantly, they let you reconstruct your thought process, which no longer leads to negative reactions against tinnitus sounds and symptoms. Here are the two main types of tinnitus treatment therapies that cover a broad range of sub-types of therapies.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
In this therapy, your specialist will work closely to provide you directive counseling that will harmlessly alter your behavior in response to the tinnitus sounds and noises. Specific negative reactions and emotions can trigger when you constantly listen to tinnitus sounds. Therefore, masking devices play an important role in reducing the sounds while your receive directive counseling to gain the ability to perceive tinnitus noises as neutral signals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This process involves talk therapy with your specialist, who guides you on how to reimage and re-perceive the sounds of tinnitus in a neutral category. By closely educating you on tinnitus management and how your reactions form after listening to constant ringing, you are able to grasp the idea of reconstructing your thought process. By learning to ignore tinnitus sounds and hearing them as neutral sounds, you are able to cope with your daily routine much better.
Tinnitus Sound Therapy
In tinnitus sound therapy, your therapist will provide you the confidence to ignore and perceive the tinnitus sounds as neutral and non-affecting signals, just like the other therapies. However, in this therapy, an audiologist will be present who will work extensively to provide you sound masking and notching devices that will let you cope with tinnitus. These devices range in broad categories, so your audiologist will help to find the best one for you.
Can Tinnitus Be Cured? Conclusion
Do you want to find a remedy to counter the tinnitus sounds and noises in one or both of your ears? The best approach in managing tinnitus is seeking the help of the right tinnitus specialist who focuses on this and associated conditions that accompany tinnitus. The right tinnitus specialist can guide you and help you cope with this disturbing condition.
Dr. Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, has over 20 years of experience in clinical practice. Moreover, he specializes in treating and managing tinnitus and sound disorders in patients.
Call us at 646-213-2321 to schedule an online appointment today and for more information regarding tinnitus treatment services.
Are Hyperacusis & Tinnitus Related? Below we will describe both conditions and can compare to see if there is any relation between the 2.
What is Hyperacusis?
This condition involves the inability to bear daily sounds. People suffering from hyperacusis usually find normal sounds to be very loud, painful, and uncomfortable. The most common cause of hyperacusis is impairment of the inner ear due to exposure to loud noises and aging.
Experts link this condition with tinnitus, which involves a ringing, buzzing, or whistling sound in the ear without any external source. Most people face this condition in both of their ears. However, hyperacusis can occur in just one ear, as well. Other conditions that make people intolerant to sound are phonophobia and loudness recruitment.
Facial nerve or viral infections in the inside of the ear
If you cannot tolerate sounds in a single ear, an ENT doctor will investigate for a tumor (acoustic neuroma) on the vestibular (balance) nerve.If they detect a tumor in time, experts can remove it in time. Even if the specialist finds a tumor, they need not necessarily remove the tumor.
Treatment of Hyperacusis
At this time, no medical or surgical approaches specific to hyperacusis exist. However, medical specialists can suggest various treatments to reduce a patient’s anxiety and fear. These therapies can also help with sensitivity to sound. Here are those therapies:
In tinnitus, you will perceive noises despite them having no external source. Such sounds include hissing, ringing, and buzzing. This condition can occur in both or a single ear. Tinnitus can be centered inside or from outside the head. There are two types of Tinnitus. Objective tinnitus is when the noise is from inside the body. This type is rare, but an examiner can hear the sound. In Subjective Tinnitus, an ENT doctor or specialist cannot hear the sound. This type of tinnitus is very common.
The symptoms of hyperacusis and tinnitus may differ in severity and description among individuals. Both hyperacusis and tinnitus may be symptoms of different diseases or disorders and may be linked with various conditions.
Symptoms of tinnitus may be:
Low or high pitched noise
Intermittent, pulsing, or constant
Non-bothersome or bothersome
Chronic or acute
Centered inside or localized from outside of the head
Present in both or a single ear
Causes of Tinnitus
Risk factors and causes of objective tinnitus are:
benign intracranial hypertension
atherosclerotic carotid arteries
arteriovenous malformation
arterial bruit
anemia
Blood flow changes in the vessels near your ear because of:
Before treating your Tinnitus, an ENT doctor or tinnitus specialist will go through diagnosis to identify the reason for this condition. The treatment will depend on the symptoms. Here are some types of treatments that will help you in treating Tinnitus:
Will tinnitus symptoms go away on their own? Tinnitus is a common auditory disorder that affects 50 million Americans. It is usually a symptom of other conditions or diseases. The person who suffers from Tinnitus experiences ringing, hissing or whistling sounds without the presence of any external sound. The brain makes faulty perceptions of sounds due to dysfunctional tiny hair cells in the ear. Some people hear more frequent and constant sounds while others hear it less often.
Symptoms
There are different types of phantom noises one may hear if he suffers from tinnitus.
Ringing
Buzzing
Hissing
Roaring
Humming
Whistling
These noises may vary in amplitude, frequency and intensity depending on each individual. They can also occur in selective ears or both ears. There exist two types of Tinnitus.
This is the most common type of Tinnitus. In this Tinnitus, you only hear the sounds and no one else can hear the sounds because none is present externally or internally. It is occurring because your auditory nerves are interpreting frequencies that are not there.
Objective Tinnitus
This is a very rare type of Tinnitus. In this condition, the person hears sounds because there is a presence of sound. The blood vessels or muscle contractions can be responsible for this sound.
Common Causes of Tinnitus
Earwax
Overloaded build up of earwax in the ear can cause Tinnitus. This is because the wax can block the ear and cause hearing loss. This can cause the auditory nerve system to stimulate noises that do not exist.
Exposure to Loud Noise
Exposure to loud noise can damage the tiny hair cells in the ear that are sensitive to sound. These tiny hair cells absorb the sound vibrations and send them to the auditory nerve system, which interprets those vibrations and forms the sound in our brain. Long-term damage of these tiny hair cells can be a severe cause of hearing loss and Tinnitus.
Aging process
The average age of people with Tinnitus averages over 50 years old. This tells us that people over the age of 50 years old are more likely to develop Tinnitus and hearing loss. This is because, with age, cells in the body start to deteriorate. Better care of your lifestyle can slow down the aging process.
Stress
People suffering from Tinnitus can make this condition worse when they are under a lot of stress. Emotional stress can amplify Tinnitus in an individual and make it unbearable for them.
Pre-existing Conditions
Certain pre-existing medical conditions in an individual can lead to the development in Tinnitus symptoms. These conditions include, Menieres disease, Lyme disease, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia.
Other causes can include injury, certain medications, sinus infections, acoustic neuromas or high blood pressure.
Does Tinnitus Go Away?
Tinnitus is a condition that is specific to each person. Whether or not the Tinnitus symptoms will be persistent or short lasting will depend on many factors that will include your age, general health, and the underlying cause of the condition.
In some cases, tinnitus disappears on its own while in others it can last for a longer time. Exposure to loud noise can also trigger Tinnitus in some people, this Tinnitus will only last only a couple of days. It will also re-emerge when exposed to loud noise again.
Permanent Tinnitus
Tinnitus in most cases is a temporary condition, but some severe cases can result in lasting and irreversible affects of Tinnitus. It is mostly dependant on the severity of the underlying cause
Hearing Loss
Hearing impairment is the most common underlying cause of Tinnitus. There are several causes one experiences hearing loss, Old age, loud noise, injury. If one is permanently impaired of their hearing, this can also result in permanent Tinnitus
Repeated Exposure to Loud Sounds
Continuous exposure to loud sounds can cause permanent hearing damage. This can ultimately lead to irreversible Tinnitus in a person. Musicians suffer from Tinnitus because of this very reason. Exposure to high amplitude music or sounds over the course of repeated days can have destructive affect on your ear.
Brain Injury
The brain makes plays a key role in processing sound and interpreting it according to its frequencies. Protected beneath the skull, any internal damage in the form of fracture or concussion can result to severe consequences, including Tinnitus.
Standard Care for Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be short lived in some people, while long lasting in others. No matter how it affects someone, it always has negative impact on ones lives. You can take a few steps that can possibly award you some relief before seeking help from a professional. These include, wearing earplugs, finding ways to mask the sound, learning to remain calm and avoiding loud noises.
Conclusion
You should not use over-the-counter drugs as a treatment or cure for Tinnitus. The treatment for the severe conditions of Tinnitus requires special help from professional audiologists or psychologists. If you seek medical help regarding sound disorders, visit us at Tinnitus Cognitive Centerand Dr. Stephen Katz, will provide you with all the care and professional help that you need.
TINNITUS COGNITIVE CENTER Stephen Katz, LCSW 646-213-2321
What is tinnitus? Tinnitus refers to a common condition in which sufferers experience an irritating sensation of hearing ‘ringing’ sounds in their ears. Other sounds that they find extremely bothersome include hissing, buzzing, clicking, whistling and chirping etc. This noise is continuous and may vary in volume.
Sufferers of Tinnitus find it very hard to bear the noise, especially when background noise is low and there is pin-drop silence. In the absence of background noise, the ringing tends to enhance and annoy more because background noise actually helps drown it out to some extent.
What is Tinnitus: Causes
One of the most common causes of Tinnitus is prolonged exposure to repetitive noise. Tinnitus can also be the result of old age hearing loss. There are delicate hair cells present in your inner ear that end to damage or wear and tear as you age. This leads to hearing problems and makes tinnitus more noticeable.
The structure of your ear is such that your inner ear translates sounds waves into nerve signals that are then sent to your brain. In this condition, the brain finds it hard to process the constant irritating noise. Individuals who take pills like aspirin, sedatives and anti depressants are more likely to develop this condition, since tinnitus is a side effect of such drugs.
Cardiovascular and circulatory problems may also cause Tinnitus to develop. In addition to that, frequent high blood pressure may also be one of the causes. You can expect high blood pressure if you have recently experienced a head injury, perhaps. Also, if there is ear wax stuck in your ear drums, there are chances that you can suffer from tinnitus, temporarily. You will go back to normal after the removal of wax from your ear.
However, if you notice the sound matching with your heart beat or sounding like it, then this is alarming and needs immediate medical attention. Doctors also believe that taking excessive stress and suffering from anxiety may also lead to Tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus: Symptoms
Main symptom that leads towards Tinnitus is extreme annoyance towards hissing and ringing sounds. If you simply cannot bear such sounds and feel an intense headache because of them, then you need to get a check-up done. It is very evident and noticeable at night when you are trying to sleep.
Experiencing pain in your jaw or dizziness may also be a symptom of Tinnitus. Other than that, if you have anemia or you have lost a lot of blood from your system due to an accident and you notice tinnitus symptoms in yourself then you need to consult a doctor.
Types of Tinnitus
Subjective Tinnitus is relatively easy to treat because it mainly has to do with auditory pathways and nerve signal problems that result in hearing issues. Objective Tinnitus on the other hand is more severe. It is rare and may be the result of a blood vessel or circulatory problem, making it more serious.
Bottom-Line
To conclude, it is vital to see a specialist if your tinnitus bothers you a lot or you have identified symptoms in yourself that lead towards tinnitus. Do you feel super annoyed at work because of the constant clicking noise that comes out of a colleague’s keyboard? Yes? Well, do not worry. Consult a doctor and address the issue so that you can live a normal and healthy life, and enjoy working in peace.
What is physiology of ear? Can you imagine your life without hearing? Bless those souls who are leading their lives wonderfully without the sense of hearing. Your ears are one of the most vital parts of your body. They give you the gift of one of the five senses. Your ears have a perfectly shape to transmit and transduce the sounds to your brain. Let us have a thorough understanding of the physiology of ear to appreciate its miraculous working.
The Outer Ear
An ear has three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and the inner. Let us understand the parts of an outer ear first. The outer inner is mainly the visible part of the ear. The outer ear is the entryway of the sound waves into the ear. Following are the parts of an outer ear.
Pinna
Most of the outer ear comprises of the pinna or an auricle, which is the visible fleshy part. Helix is the curving and outer rim of the pinna. As the curving of the pinna goes inward, the sound waves reach the antihelix, which opens in the ear canal. Pinna consists of single elastic cartilage that helps to hold and support the ear.
Ear Canal
It is the pathway between the outer ear and the middle ear through which the sound waves travel.
Tragus
The tragus is a small protruding opening that partially covers the ear canal. Interestingly tragus is also the name of the hair at the entrance of the ear. The parallel side of the tragus is the antitragus.
The Middle Ear
The middle ear lies between the outer and inner ear. It has an air-filled cavity, the tympanic cavity and includes the ossicles.
Ossicles
The ossicles are the three bones Anvil, Hammer, and Stirrup present in the middle ear. The bones attach to the ear with their ligaments. These bones are the smallest bones of the human body. Ossicles help to direct and transmit the sound waves to the cochlea (the inner ear).
Eustachian Tube/Auditory Tube
This part of the middle ear connects to the throat and nasopharynx through the pharyngeal opening.
Round and Oval Windows
These two small windows provide openings to the inner ear.
Inner Ear
The inner ear is the area where the action starts. It sits in the bony labyrinth cavity of the ear. The inner ear has inter-connected tubes and chambers. The cochlea is the most important part of the inner ear. The other chambers with the fluid inside are the vestibular tubules or the semi-circular canals. These structures together form the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear.
Cochlea
This snail-shaped chamber receives sound waves from the middle ear. Any damage to the cochlea can partially or completely deafen you. Sound waves reach the brain through vestibulocochlear nerves present in the cochlea. The interpretation of the sounds waves takes place in the brain. The hairs in the cochlea also help in the transmission of the sound waves.
Conclusion
This was a simple and easy understanding of the physiology of the ear, highlighting the important components of the ears. As remarkable and well functioning the human ear is, it is also very delicate. Too much noise exposure can damage the cochlea and other important components of the ear.
If you experience ear-related problems, then contact us at 646-213-2321 to schedule a consultation. We at Tinnitus Cognitive Therapy have the best tinnitus specialist in NYC who offers advanced cognitive therapies for treating your ear-related problems.
Has the rate of tinnitus increased over the years? Tinnitus is a condition wherein a person hears buzzing, ringing, hissing, and chirping in their ears with no physical source of the sound. Tinnitus is getting more common then you have probably thought it is. Around 32% of the US population has or ever had tinnitus, which are nearly 50 million people. Putting it more simply; the presence of tinnitus is approximately in one in ten adults. Let us have a look at how the rate of tinnitus has increased over the years and what can be the possible prevention and treatment.
The Patterns of Growing Tinnitus Rates
Several studies involving analysis of healthcare settings have helped in knowing the growing pattern of tinnitus. Overall the adults between the ages of 30-60 are more likely to get tinnitus. The leading cause is exposure to too much noise.
People with regular noise exposure are 20% more at risk of tinnitus than those who do not have much noise exposure at work. The duration of work in noise exposure areas is also a very important factor in this regard. People with work experience in noisy areas over ten years have 25% chances of tinnitus, whereas people with 0-2 years of work duration have a 13% prevalence of tinnitus.
One of the studies explains that men have 52% more chances of getting tinnitus than women.
Another factor was the exposure of loud recreational noise. Adults with exposure to loud recreational noise at least a month had prevalence of 23% whereas those without the exposure had 7% of chances of getting tinnitus.
Why Is There an Increase in the Rate of Tinnitus?
Tinnitus mainly occurs due to cochlear damage. As we use modern machines and technologies, we make the world a noisier place to live in. The increase in the number of automobiles and vehicles has made the roads and streets noisy. You may feel unaffected with the traffic noise because you have developed a habit listening to it all the time. However, you might not have a clear idea of how noise is slowly degenerating the parts of your ears.
You are more likely to damage our cochlea even if you avoid noisy places but have earphones in your ears all the time.
Another reason for tinnitus is the auditory and respiratory-related disease. With the misuse of antibiotics, we have helped bacteria to develop resistance and pathogenicity. Thus, the prevalence and spread of respiratory infections are at the highest point than they ever were in history. The blockage of respiratory passage and ear canals caused due to infections is an underlying cause of tinnitus.
Certain antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory, and quinine medications have tinnitus as a possible side effect.
Prevention
It is necessary to minimize the noise exposures as much as you can, to protect yourself from ear-related problems like Tinnitus. If your workplace has too much noise exposure, you should take all the necessary precautions you can to minimize the noise and protect your ears. Use good quality ear protection and get an examination of your ears regularly.
Treatment
If you or your loved one already experience tinnitus then contact us at 646-213-2321 to book a consultation. Treat your tinnitus with best of our cognitive therapies before it gets too late. Stephen Geller Katz LCSW offers Tinnitus Cognitive Therapy sessions in his NYC office and online sessions.
Many wonder if tinnitus related to other conditions. Tinnitus is a noise disorder that involves hearing loss and auditory issues. It is result of damage to the ‘cilia’ (hair cells) in our inner ears, which interrupts the normal process of sound interpretation. Usually, this condition stems from exposure to intensely loud and repetitive sound, which has a direct effect on your eardrums. If you listen to heavy metal music or work at a noisy factory then you are more likely to develop tinnitus.
Sometimes the cause of tinnitus is hard to uncover, this may be because it is a result of an underlying health issue or some other conditions. Let us discuss some of the conditions that have a connection with tinnitus.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
There are joints on each side of your jaw, people who suffer from TMJ disorders feel extreme pain in their jaws and muscles that control their jaw movement. They also find it hard to chew or bite food with ease. There may be a grating sensation when they try to chew. Other than that, jaw problems can cause tinnitus to develop.
The sounds that you hear have no external source. They are a result of the damage to the sensory neurons. Generally, tinnitus cases that have underlying disorders are hard to cure. However, individuals who suffer from tinnitus, which arises from TMJ, can get relief through proper treatment.
Dementia
A strong connection exists between hearing loss and dementia. Studies have shown that dementia has a connection with Tinnitus as well. Tinnitus can cause one to develop insomnia and experience trouble sleeping peacefully. Sufferers would often seek loneliness to escape the sounds that trigger their condition. They can also lose their concentration and focus.
The human brain has a very important concentration and memory function, which can stop working properly in the case of tinnitus. Tinnitus with its ringing feature, along with isolation being a major factor can lead towards developing dementia in older people. Early diagnosis of tinnitus and dementia means faster treatment. Specialists will recommend you to take hearing tests and use hearing aids.
Migraine
Tinnitus often leads to the development of headache disorders, one of which is ‘migraine.’ Patients complain that tinnitus drives them crazy because it enhances migraine attack episodes that are simply unbearable. Therapy and hearing aids help reduce symptoms.
Pulsatile Tinnitus
This type of tinnitus is severe and requires immediate medical attention because it may mean that there is a problem with your heart and circulatory system. Sufferers sense a triggering sound with every heart beat. It is also a sign of tumor or vessel problems. In such a case it is very important to keep a check on your blood pressure and visit your doctor for help regarding it.
Miniere’s Disease
This disease is a vestibular hearing disorder that occurs in the inner ear, affecting your hearing and balance. It has a connection with both vertigo and tinnitus. Along with congestion in the ears, patients of Miniere’s disease, experience ringing and attacks of severe dizziness. There is pain and pressure in the affected ear, as well as constant roaring or ringing.
Bottom-Line
There may be a variety of conditions that have a direct or indirection connection with Tinnitus. It is vital to visit a specialist who will look at your medical history and then recommend suitable treatment options. Schedule your appointment today with Stephen Katz, the best Tinnitus specialist in NYC to find out about the most effective treatment options.
There are multiple different types of tinnitus. The Tinnitus Cognitive Center can help you discern a course of action for whichever form of tinnitus you are suffering.
Are there different types of tinnitus?
Tinnitus comes in different forms. Some of these types are related to how the body affects your symptoms.
Pulsatile tinnitus is related to the circulation of blood through the body. Checking your pulse against the noise you are experiencing can verify this form of the condition.
Somatic tinnitus occurs when the sensory system influences or increases your symptoms. The root cause of this type is neck muscle spasms. It can be alleviated through correct posture and lifestyle changes such as sleeping in a better position.
Tinnitus may be mistaken for other Menieres disease as well. Dizziness and vertigo are related to Menieres but is not tinnitus.
This form is linked to phantom noises and even a painful ringing sound.
Subjective tinnitus is most common and occurs in one or both ears. In this form, others do not hear your phantom noises.
Objective tinnitus is rare and is closely related to pulsatile tinnitus. It occurs when people other than yourself can hear the perceived noise. Proper diet and exercise help mitigate objective tinnitus.
What causes tinnitus?
A variety of environmental, congenital, medical or other factors cause tinnitus. Head and neck injuries, medicine, inner ear damage, and loud noises are known to produce the condition.
Environmental factors are the most significant cause of tinnitus. Individuals working with machinery or in concert settings should always wear ear protection. Hearing loss is often associated with these settings as well.
The condition produces effects which worsen if left unchecked. Anxiety often results from the flight or fight response related to the associated phantom noises of subjective tinnitus. This reaction heightens stress, leads to issues such as lack of sleep and clinical depression, and in turn worsens symptoms.
Can I prevent tinnitus?
Mitigation is achievable through proper diet, exercise, and a reduction in stress levels. Removing loud noises from your environment can help as well.
Lifestyle changes are particularly useful for pulsatile tinnitus. High blood pressure, injury, and heart disease are causes of this condition.
In some cases, tinnitus is inevitable. Medicines, hearing loss, and congenital diseases are often unavoidable.
How are the different types of Tinnitus treated?
Tinnitus is uncurable. However, the symptoms are mitigable.
Treatments range from prescription drugs to cognitive retraining therapy. They work for most types of tinnitus.
Cognitive retraining therapy such as the Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy offered at our office work well. These therapies replace negative thoughts and reactions with a more positive response. Audio and behavioral therapy aims to make you more comfortable in dealing with your symptoms.
Unlike drugs, cognitive treatments do not have side effects. Dizziness, nausea, and addiction can occur when taking medicine. However, recent advances in understanding the ear may allow scientists to develop better drugs.
Alternative medicines are not proven to work. There is no correlation between the management of symptoms and treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and dietary supplements.
It is clear that tinnitus is the perception of sound and sufferer may hear varying degree of noises in the ear by different types of exposure. Some people may develop tinnitus by external exposure while others develop due to an underlying disorder, but there is no specific agenda behind this mystery. Whatever the reason you may discover after diagnosis, the fact remains the same that you are suffering from troubleshooting of tinnitus. There are many leading causes of tinnitus that why it is difficult to examine theroot cause of tinnitus.
Common Elemental Problems Associated With Tinnitus
Besides the perception of sound this condition put some common effects on sufferers. Studies have found that tinnitus sufferers are more vulnerable to sleeping disorders, anxiety, depression, stress, and hypersensitivity. But it is still unclear that tinnitus creates these disorders, or these underlying conditions contribute to tinnitus occurrence. Tinnitus is something that just not creates physical disorder, but it is also considered to affect the people at an emotional level. However, you can still overcome your disorder by self-analyzing your symptoms via comparing it with another sufferer to gain better options for management therapy.
Here are some common disorders that every sufferer might face during tinnitus:
Insomnia And Tinnitus
Most sufferers of tinnitus have found difficulty in sleeping due to resuming and pausing sounds. It is found that people who are suffering from insomnia also receive the same ringing sensation just as the tinnitus victim experience. The prescribed sleeping pills during tinnitus also responsible for the creation of sleep disturbance as it alters your normal sleeping pattern. To avoid these chronic problems you have to involve remedial measure in your life to get proper relief.
Tinnitus And Hypersensitivity
There are different structural functions of the ear that works as a barrier against external noises. But excessive exposure leads to create unbearable tinnitus along other rare conditions. Most sufferer of tinnitus hears high-intensity noises during tinnitus episodes which are not present in the surrounding. This hypertensive process leads to creating intensifying auditory response in some people, and that is the reason people hear internal noises in the ear even the beats of heart and blood flow rate.
Depression And Tinnitus
Congestive issues are also responsible for troubleshooting tinnitus such as anxiety and depression. In most of the cases is it seen that tinnitus create hopelessness due to frequent exposure to sounds. A recent report stated 40 to 70% of tinnitus patients with depression and other disruptive behavioral disorders.
Self Examination Of Tinnitus
Once you recognize the point source of your tinnitus condition, you can develop an easy and effective method to live even in compelling condition.
Bottom Line
Apart from seeing an audiologist, you can also learn to cope up with this condition even you experience this in your whole life!! You can also alleviate annoying sensation by avoiding unhealthy nuisance exposure as this exposure not only retard your cognitive abilities but can also leave you with hearing disability for your whole life. Moreover, be a self observer to point out tinnitus symptoms.
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… Continue Reading
Tinnitus is the term used to describe hearing sounds from inside your body, rather than from an external source. In most cases, tinnitus is characterized as a ringing sound inside the ears, although patients with this condition often report hearing several different sounds, including buzzing, grinding, hissing, whistling, and humming sounds. Some patients can hear… Continue Reading
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