Tinnitus Awareness Week May 20-26

Have you ever heard a “ringing” or “buzzing” sound in your ears, like this? If so, you may be one of the estimated 36 million people with a condition called tinnitus.

Tinnitus can be caused by a number of things, including certain medications, allergies, and damage to the ear’s nerve endings. Noise-induced hearing loss, which results from repeated exposure to loud noises, also contributes to the problem. 

If you have symptoms of tinnitus, an exam by an neurotologist—a specialist in ear and balance problems—can help to determine the root of your problem.  There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are medications and other treatment options that may lessen the problem.

For more information, visit the American Tinnitus Association or the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.