Tinnitus is an auditory processing issue where your hear noise that nobody else can hear, such as ringing, whistling, roaring, or clicking. Tinnitus can vary in its intensity, with some people barely noticing the sound at all while others experience noise so loud that they struggle to hear the world around them.
 
People who have tinnitus often have difficulty sleeping and concentrating due to the disruptive and consistent presence of noise. It can also have a large emotional impact, with many sufferers feeling frustrated, anxious, and depressed by the relentless nature of the condition.

The exact cause of tinnitus is still unknown, though initial research has suggested that it may be the result of abnormal brain activity that doesn’t process sound correctly.
 
Tinnitus is a common symptom of disorders that effect the ears, the most common of which is hearing loss. Other factors and conditions that may cause tinnitus are:
 
• Aging
• Allergies
• Damage to the ear structure
• Excessive earwax
• Exposure to loud noises or explosions
• Foreign objects getting lodged in the ear
• Ménière’s disease
• Otosclerosis
• Ototoxic medications
• Suffering a concussion or head injury
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Vestibular schwannoma
 
Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom. To uncover the root cause of your tinnitus, it’s important to consult an ENT specialist who can perform the proper tests and examinations necessary to diagnose your condition. The sooner you address your tinnitus, the greater the chance of it not becoming a permanent issue.

The first indicator of tinnitus is lingering noise in the ears, that occurs either intermittently or continuously, and that only the sufferer can hear. The type of sound varies from person to person, with many describing it as ringing, buzzing, whistling, roaring, or hissing.
 
Tinnitus may go away on its own with time though this is not a recommended form of treatment. When left untreated, the condition causing your tinnitus may become worse, leading to more severe, and potentially permanent, complications.

Most of the time, tinnitus isn’t indicative of a serious health problem. However, when left untreated, tinnitus may persist indefinitely or can continue to worsen. In some cases, the noise caused by tinnitus can become so disruptive that it can make it difficult to hear, concentrate, and sleep. This can result in fatigue, depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues that affect day-to-day life.
 
By consulting an ENT specialist, they can work with you address the underlying cause of your tinnitus while also reducing the severity of the noise. Those who seek help at the initial stages of their tinnitus are more likely to improve their condition, decreasing the probability of it becoming permanent.
 
At Southern ENT Associates, our team of medical specialists work diligently and effectively to help resolve your tinnitus and the condition that it stems from. Expect the highest level of safety and professionalism at every step of your recovery journey, with treatment plans that are tailored to your personal medical needs. If you’d like more information about our tinnitus services, or would like to book in for an appointment, connect with us at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Thibodaux LA, Houma LA, Raceland LA, Morgan City LA, New Iberia LA, Youngsville LA, and surrounding areas!