Tinnitus is a constant ringing, hissing, or roaring sound in one or both ears. Produced in the brain, tinnitus is the perception of a sound that has no external source. In Canada, as many as 360,000 (TBC) people suffer from tinnitus, with XX% of that population having some level of noise-induced hearing loss. Tinnitus may be constant or periodic with different degrees of intensity. It can be mild or debilitating and varies in sound patterns, including buzzing and ringing.
Though the causes of tinnitus are unknown, hearing health professionals link the condition to many potential.
Tinnitus is not a condition and there is no cure – but it may be a symptom of inner or outer-ear problems or the effects of trauma, disorders, and certain medications.
However, there are ways to manage tinnitus in order to continue enjoying daily activities, such as therapy, hearing aids (to mask the sounds of tinnitus), counseling and dietary changes.
Meniere’s Disease
Almost 40,000 Canadians experience Meniere’s Disease, which is a disorder of the inner ear that may affect balance, hearing and cause tinnitus or a feeling of fullness in the ear. Meniere’s Disease is characterized by progressive/temporary hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and nausea and balance issues.
Though the cause of Meniere’s Disease is unknown some researchers believe that is may be caused by an abnormal amount of fluid in the inner ear (endolymph). Common treatments for managing the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease, include therapy, dietary changes and restrictions, medication, hearing aids and surgery