Tinnitus is more than just a sound in your ears. It can affect how you focus, relax and even sleep. Many people notice it during quiet moments or when trying to concentrate, and it can feel frustrating when it appears unexpectedly. Learning more about what causes it and exploring ways to manage it can improve how you experience daily life.
At The Hearing Aid Place, our hearing professionals work with you to find strategies that reduce the impact of tinnitus on your routine. They provide personalized recommendations and ongoing support to help you find solutions that meet your needs. With the right guidance, managing tinnitus becomes a realistic and achievable part of maintaining your hearing health.
What Tinnitus Is and What Causes It
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing or other sounds in your ears without an external source. It can be constant or come and go, and it may vary in pitch and volume. Tinnitus can develop from a range of factors, including prolonged exposure to loud noise, certain medications, ear infections or changes in the auditory system as we age. While the exact mechanisms are not always fully understood, it is generally linked to how the brain and ears process sound.
Why Tinnitus Often Occurs With Hearing Loss
Tinnitus frequently occurs alongside hearing loss because both involve changes in how the auditory system functions. When hearing declines, the brain may compensate for missing input by creating its own sounds, which can result in tinnitus. Age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss and other conditions that affect the inner ear can all trigger or worsen these phantom sounds. For many, noticing tinnitus is often the first sign that hearing may be declining.
Tinnitus Treatment Options
Hearing aids with masking features can help manage tinnitus while also addressing hearing loss. These devices amplify everyday sounds and introduce gentle tones that make ringing or buzzing less noticeable, particularly in quiet environments. Using a hearing aid consistently can help your brain focus on external sounds instead of the internal noise caused by tinnitus.
Sound machines provide another option for managing tinnitus by creating a background of soft, steady noise, like white noise or nature sounds. Tinnitus retraining therapy combines these sound therapies with counseling to help your brain gradually reduce attention to tinnitus. Over time, this approach can make the ringing feel less intrusive and improve your focus and comfort throughout the day.