Tinnitus / Cerumen
We treat successfully in lessening the severity of tinnitus
Both tinnitus and cerumen can cause or exacerbate hearing difficulties.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing in one or both ears. It is frequently a symptom of hearing loss, but there are many other health conditions that may cause tinnitus, such as allergies, high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as some medications, such as anti-inflammatories and antidepressants, that can make it worse. It can be frustrating, can interfere with your ability to hear and understand, and, unfortunately there is no cure but help is available.
There are tests that may help identify the cause of your tinnitus, but treating the condition is based heavily on how each patient responds. There are treatments that have been successful in lessening the severity of tinnitus and in helping manage the condition.
If you are experiencing tinnitus, our audiologists can work with you to manage it. We recommend the following to help lessen the symptoms:
- Avoid loud noise.
- Reduce salt intake to improve blood circulation.
- Avoid caffeinated products.
- Exercise and get enough sleep.
- Keep blood pressure at a healthy level.
- Use a sound machine at night to mask tinnitus.
Cerumen (wax in the ears)
Wax is naturally produced in the ear to lubricate and protect from infection. Too much wax may become impacted, causing itching, buzzing, and loss of hearing over weeks or months.
Our doctors will treat either with eardrops, or by using special equipment in our office. We do not recommend using cotton swabs to attempt to remove ear wax on your own, as it can push the wax further into the ear.