Five Common Myths About Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a disease
Actually, it is a symptom, not a disease. Anyone who experiences a phantom noise in their ears can say they are experiencing this symptom. The bigger issue is when that symptom doesn’t go away after a few seconds, weeks, and finally months. Basically, the longer someone has tinnitus, the more likely they are to be bothered by it! Those who have had symptoms for over 6 months can be described as having “persistent” tinnitus. These are the people we typically serve at our clinic, as they are the ones who need help managing their symptoms in the long-term.
There is a cure.
Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy cure for tinnitus. As it is not a disease, there are many causes that can lead to this symptom. As a result, there are many ways to resolve or reduce tinnitus based on the individual situation. Medications, smoking, stress, sleep levels, degree of hearing loss, and even more can contribute to someone’s symptoms. The good news is, there are many different strategies to help manage this! Dr. Egan is happy to meet with anyone struggling with their symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan to minimize the impact of tinnitus on daily life
Taking an over-the-counter medication can help.
At this point in time, there is no over-the-counter treatment that is truly effective. We warn patients to be wary of advertising that says otherwise! In fact, there are many medications or medication interactions that can cause tinnitus. We advise all patients to speak with their primary care physician about their current medication list in hopes that this may be part of a possible solution to their grief.
It’s going to get worse.
Tinnitus is truly a unique experience to each person and there is no reason one person’s experience is going to be the same as the next. As tinnitus is often misunderstood, it is easy for the internet to promote products with fearful tactics and gimmicks. The most important factor in managing tinnitus is understanding it. Working with healthcare professionals who have extensive knowledge on the topic is the best first step towards relief.
There is nothing that can help.
If you haven’t figured this out from the other myths, this is far but true! Tinnitus is incredibly niche, and while many healthcare providers are not well versed in tinnitus management, our Audiologists specialize in it! If you have ever been told to just “deal with it” in regard to your symptoms, we are so very sorry you have had to go through your journey alone. All patients deserve highly specialized management and care, and you are not alone! If you are suffering from tinnitus, please call our clinic to schedule an appointment. Let us ease your burden and find relief together!