Tinnitus

Ear, Nose & Throat Doctors located in Thibodaux, Houma, Raceland, Morgan City, New Iberia, Youngsville, and Opelousas, LA

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Find Relief from Tinnitus

Ringing in the ears, called tinnitus, affects about one in every five people. The expert staff of ear, nose, and throat doctors at Southern ENT Associates can help you figure out why you’re having this perception of noise and treat the underlying cause. If you live in South Louisiana, call one of the six office locations or book an appointment online to make sure your tinnitus isn’t a symptom of something more serious.

What are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?

Tinnitus describes the condition of hearing a sound when there aren’t any external sounds around. You may experience tinnitus as a variety of sounds, such as buzzing, clicking, hissing, ringing, or roaring.

You may hear the noise faintly, or it could be quite distracting and interfere with your ability to hear individual sounds. It can come and go, worsen with age, and be present in one or both ears.

Should I Be Concerned About Tinnitus?

The perception of ringing or noise in the ears can be alarming but typically doesn’t indicate a serious issue. However, it can signal a condition, such as age-related hearing loss, circulatory system disorders, or an ear injury.

Tinnitus can sometimes develop for a short time following a cold or other upper respiratory infection. If it persists for more than a week, contact Southern ENT Associates for an evaluation. You should also be concerned if the tinnitus comes on suddenly or is accompanied by significant hearing loss or dizziness.

How is Tinnitus Treated?

The team of experienced doctors at Southern ENT Associates does a thorough review of your hearing, ear health, the particular sounds you’re hearing, and your overall wellness to help determine the possible cause of your tinnitus.

They look for any underlying conditions that may explain your tinnitus. All of this data informs the treatment plan, which may include the following:

Medications
Earwax removal
Hearing aids
White noise machines to block out tinnitus when it is irreversible

Mild cases of tinnitus are resolvable with at-home strategies, such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, and moderating alcohol consumption. To learn more about tinnitus and receive relief through treatment, call the closest office of Southern ENT Associates or book a consultation online.

What Causes Tinnitus?

You may experience tinnitus as your hearing worsens with age, starting around age 60. Other possible causes of tinnitus include the following:

Exposure to loud noises, such as firearms and heavy equipment
Earwax accumulation
Changes in the ear bones resulting from a genetic condition
Blood vessel disorders

Less common causes of ringing in the ears can include the following:

Temporomandibular joint disorders of the jaw
Meniere’s disease
A benign tumor
Head or neck trauma

Certain medications may also cause tinnitus as a side effect.