Tag: ringing in the ear

Tinnitus- the Unwelcomed Family Member

Tinnitus is an unwelcomed experience.  For all of us who suffer from tinnitus it could come and go as it pleases or it could decide to stay.  We have no control over this ringing in- the- ear- menace but, we try to live with it daily, sometimes with success and others times without.

One thing you must realise is that you are not alone.  Tinnitus does not only affect the sufferer but others like family members, friends and colleagues, basically anyone close. These people could become your greatest support group.

What is the best way to get this support?

Take a guest with you to your appointment for the hearing test and tinnitus assessment.  It will deepen their understanding about what you are experiencing which could then lead to a good sense of sympathy.

It is this sympathy that is needed.  Sympathy leads to kindness.  And kindness leads to support.

You need support because tinnitus could at times be overwhelming.  People closest to you can give you the support you need. The more they understand the better the support.

Don’t keep your tinnitus suffering to yourself.  Tell someone who would listen.

Next post — a few tinnitus treatments…

Talk later….

Carry- on Tinnitus Step#2

Step #2

Now that you’ve seen the Audiologist or the Hearing Instrument Specialist and they’ve given you a hearing test what is there left to do?

Talk…..

The hearing professional will discuss the results of the hearing test.  You may or may not have hearing loss but you may still suffer from tinnitus.

How is that possible?

Don’t people with hearing loss all have tinnitus?

It is true about 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss and tinnitus affects 1 in 5 people. What about the rest of us?

Let’s work backwards with some basic information about tinnitus.

Tinnitus or some pronounce it tin-eye-tus or tin-a-tus is not a disease but a symptom resulting from a number of causes most common is hearing loss but others are: ear infections, hearing loss, constant exposure to loud noises, brain tumor, emotional stress, exposure to certain medication , head or neck injury, hypertension, heart disease and earwax to name a few.

There are different types of tinnitus: subjective, objective and pulsatile.  Subjective is the most frequent type and it is explained as hearing sound when there is no external sound and it can present itself as ringing, clicking, hissing or buzzing; some people even experience hearing music.

Tinnitus also triggers an emotional response in each individual in unique portions. In other words, tinnitus affects everyone differently and their reactions are all different. Some people can ignore the noise in their ears, whereas others are frustrated and even can be emotionally distraught. No two people are the same.

So where do you go from here?

Counselling is needed and your hearing professional is going to be able to help you with that.

Find out more next week.

If anyone has any questions, please e-mail me.

Until next time…