Very recently, the condition of constant ringing in the ears has become a widespread topic of discussion. For many years, people who suffered with ringing in their ears had no idea that such a condition—also known as tinnitus—even existed. Up to a third of all Americans are affected by tinnitus at some point in their lives. Anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of Americans are so affected by tinnitus that they seek medical attention. Staggeringly, around two million Americans have such severe tinnitus that they are unable to function day-to-day.
Over half of all hearing loss sufferers also suffer from tinnitus of some severity. Most commonly, people who have noise-induced hearing loss are those that also report having tinnitus. It’s extremely important to protect your ears from any kind of harm, and constant loud noise over long periods of time is no exception. The prevalence of life-affecting tinnitus in the noise-induced hearing loss demographic is enough to demonstrate the need for caution. Luckily, though, the recent widespread dialogue on tinnitus, its causes, and its remedies has led to a huge increase in knowledge on the malady.
Tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, but rather a condition that can be caused by a range of different things. Ear infections, allergies, wax buildup, neurological damage, a number of different diseases, and, of course, hearing loss can all lead to cases of tinnitus. Because of this, there’s no cure-all that can completely eliminate the ringing.
There are, however, many different options for treatment. Though most treatment options often vary in effectiveness and reliability, hearing loss sufferers have a more reliable treatment that fits perfectly with their lifestyle: hearing aids. There are certain types of hearing aids that are designed specifically to counteract the effects of tinnitus. These hearing aids make the ringing less noticeable so that you can go about your day normally or enjoy quiet relaxation times.