The 4 Different Types of Tinnitus

When it comes to our hearing, it’s important that we look after it. It’s something that once it’s gone, it can be hard to get back. Some hearing loss is permanent and can be lost despite trying surgery or hearing aid devices.

With that in mind, it’s good to be attentive to any worries you may have when it comes to your hearing. People experience tinnitus in a variety of ways which is a fairly common medical diagnosis that includes phantom ringing and buzzing noises within the ear. It’s often linked with hearing loss but is rather a symptom of hearing loss that should be carefully looked after in order to keep it from getting worse.

What Are the Four Different Types of Tinnitus?

There are four different types of tinnitus that are worth understanding so that you can perhaps pinpoint what you or a loved one may have. These four types are as follows.

Subjective

This is the most common form of tinnitus, and the symptoms can only be heard by the individual. It’s usually caused when the person has had exposure to excessive noise. It can appear quite suddenly and at the same time can disappear suddenly too. This often lasts three to 12 months at a time and for some, it may be a form of tinnitus that never stops.

Neurological

This is often caused by a disorder called Meniere’s disease. This affects the brain’s auditory functions and causes tinnitus to occur as a result. Meniere’s disease is an ear condition that along with a ringing noise in the ears, can trigger vertigo attacks too.

Somatic

This is a type of tinnitus that’s related to the sensory system. It’s where somatosensory information from the cervical spine or the jaw area causes the patient’s tinnitus perception.

Objective

This is quite possibly the rarest form of tinnitus caused by involuntary muscle contractions. Once these are treated, the tinnitus usually stops. It’s also one of the only tinnitus types that can be heard by those around them.

What Causes Tinnitus to Occur?

There’s no certainty when it comes to the causes of tinnitus but if there’s no damage to the auditory system, then it may because by any other number of causes. Here are just a few examples:

• Earwax buildup
• A cardiovascular disease
• Medications you may be on
• Excessive noise exposure
• Chronic neck muscle strain
• Jaw joint dysfunction

How Is Tinnitus Treated?

There are a number of approaches that can be made to help treat tinnitus, but the experience may be different for everyone. Some may find it easier to banish it completely, while others just have to learn to live with it. Here are some suggestions for treating tinnitus.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is based on your thoughts, feelings, actions and physical sensations. It’s the notion that all of these are interconnected and having negative thoughts or feelings can trap you in a cycle of negativity. It may not work for everyone but it’s a therapy that’s often utilized when it comes to tackling tinnitus.

Masking

Masking pretty much does what it says on the tin. It can help mask any sounds of tinnitus. From white noise to specialized ear-masking noises – there are lots of options. You can even create your own custom noise to help shift your attention from the tinnitus occurring.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus retraining therapy has been considered effective for a lot of those who deal with this persistent sound or ringing. The therapy involves training the mind to ignore the sounds that come with tinnitus, and this involves close cooperation with an audiologist. The results vary but they can be positive over time.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a therapy that can help to reduce signs of tinnitus for many people. Once the
person is trained in this technique; they can influence automatic functions within the body that were previously thought to be beyond their own control!

Purchase a Hearing Aid

If all else fails, then another option would be to purchase a hearing aid. A hearing aid can be helpful in distracting or removing the noise of tinnitus from the ear. With many choosing this option, it’s a worthwhile consideration to make. There are many different styles of hearing aids, such as behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE) and in the canal (ITC). Talk to your audiologist if you think a hearing aid would be best for you.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, regardless of the type, then it may be worth exploring your options for help. Seeing an audiologist might be helpful, so make sure you get in touch with Quality Hearing & Audiology Center. You can give us a call at (816) 205-7220 to help improve your hearing quality.