Healthpointe Medical Southern California

Things to Know About Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling, or other sounds. Tinnitus is actually quite a common problem that affects an estimated 50 million adults in the United States. For most people, tinnitus can simply be just an annoyance, but in severe cases, tinnitus can cause difficulty concentrating or sleeping and further interfere with the daily life of the person. Tinnitus is not a condition itself, but rather, it is a symptom of an underlying condition such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder.

What causes tinnitus?

Some common causes of tinnitus include:

  • Age-related hearing loss
  • Exposure to loud noise
  • Earwax blockage
  • Ear bone changes

Other causes of tinnitus include:

  • Meniere’s disease (inner ear disorder that may be caused by abnormal inner ear fluid pressure)
  • TMJ disorder (problems with the joint on each side of your head in front of your ears)
  • Head injuries or neck injuries
  • Acoustic neuroma (benign tumor that develops on the cranial nerve that runs from your brain to your inner ear and controls balance and hearing)

Blood vessel disorders that are linked to tinnitus include:

  • Head and neck tumors
  • Atherosclerosis
  • High blood pressure
  • Turbulent blood flow
  • Malformation of capillaries

Certain medications can also cause tinnitus, which can include:

  • Cancer medications
  • Antibiotics
  • Water pills (diuretics)
  • Certain antidepressants
  • Aspirin (taken in uncommonly high doses)

What are treatment options for tinnitus?

Treatment options will depend on the extent of your condition, the underlying disorder, and your medical history. Typically, a healthcare professional will try to identify any underlying and treatable condition that may be associated with your tinnitus symptoms. Once the condition is identified, examples of treatment options can include removing earwax, treating a blood vessel condition, or changing your medication. In certain cases, noise suppression methods can also be used such as white noise machines, hearing aids, masking devices, and tinnitus retraining.

When should I see a doctor for tinnitus?

You should seek medical attention if your tinnitus becomes bothersome. Particularly, seek immediate medical attention if:

  • You develop tinnitus after an upper respiratory infection (such as a cold), and your tinnitus does not improve within a week.
  • You have tinnitus that occurs suddenly or without an apparent cause
  • You have hearing loss or dizziness with the tinnitus

Where can I go for tinnitus treatment?

Healthpointe now offers audiology treatment services, which includes treating tinnitus. Healthpointe has over 10 clinics located throughout Southern California, including Garden Grove, which is near Stanton, Santa Ana and Westminster. Contact Healthpointe today to schedule an appointment for an evaluation and treatment of your hearing disorder.

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles county, Orange county, San Bernardino county and Riverside county). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Garden Grove, which is conveniently located near Stanton, Santa Ana and Westminster. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit healthpointe.net.

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