What’s that Ringing Noise in My Ear?
Tinnitus is a ringing, swishing, or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear or head. In almost all cases, only the patient can hear the noise.
Causes of Tinnitus
The followings are some of the causes of tinnitus:
- Head or ear injury
- Side-effect of medications
- Exposure to excessive loud noises (aircraft engine, firearms, and high intensity music)
- Fluid, infection, or disease of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane)
- Damage to microscopic endings of hearing nerve in inner ear
- Hearing nerve impairment due to aging
- Diseases of the inner ear (Eg. Meniere’s syndrome)
Effects of Tinnitus
The impact tinnitus has on a person’s life varies enormously depending on whether it is mild and passing, or loud, severe, constant tinnitus day in and day out. For those whose tinnitus is only a mild irritation, they may learn to completely ignore it. The term for this is “habituation.”
However for some, tinnitus is totally debilitating and disruptive to our entire being. Patients with severe tinnitus often have problem sleeping. Consequently, they became irritable and are unable to concentrate on anything other than their tinnitus. As a result, they are constantly under stress, perform poorly, and lose their joy of living.
Treatment of Tinnitus
Tinnitus caused by medication may go away naturally after the patient discontinues taking it (under doctor’s order). For cases where the root cause is organic, Clinical Hypnotherapy is a proven technique that helps alleviate the harmful effects of tinnitus. Patients learn to effectively manage the symptoms, reducing stress, getting a better night’s sleep, and regain control of their lives once again.