Summary: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears, when no external sound is present.Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears, or in the head, when no external sound is present. It is often referred to as "ringing in the ears," although some people hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping or clicking. According to Hearing Health Foundation, 50 million Americans experience hearing loss. In fact, tinnitus affects 20 percent of Americans, and hearing loss occurs in 90 percent of those cases. What are the symptoms of tinnitus? The classic symptoms of tinnitus are listed above (ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing, clicking), but it also includes high and low pitches in one or both ears. Sometimes, the noises you hear can become so loud that they interfere with your ability to focus on other tasks. When should you go see your doctor? If you begin to notice a ringing in only one of your ears and you haven't been exposed to any loud noises (construction work, a concert, blasting music in your headphones), it's typically a sign of a more serious problem, like a tumor. Another thing you want to keep an eye on is how uncomfortable the tinnitus is. If it's really bothering you and getting in the way of your daily life, then you might want to see a specialist. What are the eight ways to reduce and eliminate tinnitus? Get your hearing checked Reduce your stress Avoid aspirin, or any products containing salsalate Clean your eyes thoroughly Avoid excess caffeine and stimulants Explore further testing Try tinnitus retraining therapy Look into stress-relieving medications or use biofeedback therapy What else do you need to know about tinnitus and how you can eliminate the condition? Dr. Timothy Frantz joins Dr. Mike to discuss eight simple ways to reduce and eliminate tinnitus.
