Tinnitus: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

There is no treatment for tinnitus itself, as the disorder is an indication of an underlying condition. Doctors will recommend a complete physical examination to determine the cause for the tinnitus. If this test does not reveal the issue, you may be sent to ear specialists and audiologists. These doctors will check the functioning of the nerves in the ear. An audiogram may also be performed. Furthermore, MRIs and CT scans may also be needed to determine what is causing the tinnitus.

If the Tinnitus is caused due to an underlying health condition, doctors will treat that condition in order to reduce the effects. However, the same disorder may also be caused due to persistent levels of noise. In such cases, the patient must stay away from such noise in order to reduce the effects of Tinnitus.

Often, the tinnitus goes away on its own without needing any treatment, while at other times there is essentially no way to treat the condition completely. In such cases, the patient can seek out counseling groups so that they can better cope with the disorder. Certain drugs have also proven to have beneficial effects in keeping the condition in check.

Initial signs of Tinnitus may include an unpleasant sound in one or both ears that may feel like roaring, hissing, buzzing, ringing, or whistling. This noise may continue for a very long time and is mostly followed by other issues including pain or drainage from the ear and dizziness, which can be a sign of ear infection.

his signs will be followed by other symptoms of Tinnitus which can be associated with other underlying medical conditions like an underactive thyroid or high BP.

Common causes of Tinnitus include:

• Long duration in loud sounds environment.
• High blood pressure.
• Injuries to the head and neck.
• Diabetes.
• Excess buildup of earwax causing blockage or infection in the auditory nerve.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Underactive thyroid gland.
• Consumption of medications like loop diuretics, antibiotics, antidepressants, or anti-inflammatories.
• Meniere's disease.
• Allergies.
• Weakening of cochlea due to aging.
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
• Autoimmune disease.
• Otosclerosis.
• Circulatory problems.
• Anemia.

These symptoms can get worse if:

• One spends more time in a loud environment.
• Consumption of tobacco ( cigarettes) or alcohol.
• Consumption of drinks high in caffeine.

Since tinnitus is caused due to an underlying condition, doctors follow different treatments depending on the condition affecting the patient. For instance, if tinnitus is caused due to excessive earwax formation, doctors will clear out the ear using a specialized tool called a curette. This sucks out the dirt trapped inside. The same can also be performed using an ear flush with warm water.

In case of an ear infection causing the tinnitus, doctors will treat the infection with hydrocortisone laced ear drops. An antibiotic may also be prescribed in such a case.

The tinnitus may also be caused due to a dental disorder known as temporomandibular joint syndrome. If you are suffering from this disorder, you will be referred to an orthodontist.

In rare cases, surgery may also be required to treat the underlying condition causing tinnitus. A tumor or cyst could be behind the disorder and in such instances, surgery may be the only option.

Medication may also prove useful against the disorder. For some patients, treatment with antidepressants can be quite effective.

Several therapies have also been devised that can provide relief for people experiencing chronic tinnitus. These therapies may take a long time to prove useful, but are great ways of managing the discomfort.

While the other forms of treatment for tinnitus does not result in perceivable side effects, use of certain medications, namely the antidepressants may result in some side effects. These effects include dry mouth, heart ailments and blurry vision. Other stress management drugs prescribed for tinnitus may also cause nausea and drowsiness.

In most cases, Tinnitus can be minor and eventually fade away within a short span of time. But in a few cases, it can develop into a serious medical condition if:

• Uncomfortable Tinnitus.
• Room-spinning sensations.
• Tinnitus in one ear.
• Pulsatile Tinnitus of any kind.
• Sudden changes in hearing status.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialist as they are not the signs that a patient should ignore.

There are no such post-treatment guidelines for tinnitus. However, if the condition is caused due to loud noises, the patients are advised to stay away from such noise. Using a hearing aid at all times may also be necessary to keep the effects at bay. Depression, anxiety, and stress must be managed as well to ensure that the symptoms of tinnitus are not magnified.

The recovery rate depends on the underlying condition, which caused the disorder. For instance, if the tinnitus was caused due to excessive ear wax, the symptoms may disappear as soon as the ears are cleared out. However, if the tinnitus is caused due to loud noises or tumors, it may take longer to be cured. In some cases, the condition cannot be cured at all and can only be controlled or managed using medication and other tools.

The cost of treatment varies according to the underlying condition. In case of a trivial cause, one visit to the doctor may be enough to cure the symptoms. While in more serious cases, several visits may be needed along with other medical costs.

The treatment does not permanently cure tinnitus. Loud noises and other such disturbances to the ear may cause the condition to make a comeback.

Here are some of the food items that can trigger Tinnitus:

• Food includes MSG: Used mostly in Chinese cuisine.
• Salty meals: Packed food items like chips.
• Fatty foods: Food made with excess animal fat or processed butter.
• Processed sugar: Mostly consumed with daily routine beverages and homemade sweets.

Neither natural nor medical has developed any cure for Tinnitus, although the advancement of science created a solution to manage the symptoms. The key focus of the treatment is to eliminate the unpleasant sound and leakage.

People looking to find a solution outside of conventional medicine can try out cognitive therapy. This therapy teaches the patient to accept the ringing sound that is a result of the disorder. It also modifies the reaction to tinnitus in the patient. Biofeedback methods can also be used to relieve the stress associated with tinnitus. This in turn helps to manage the symptoms of the condition.

Summary: Ear impairment causing ringing sounds without any external noise is known as Tinnitus. This can also lead to loss of hearing if not treated properly.