Tinnitus, also known as ringing-in-the-ears, is an annoying, but common problem. In fact, over 50 million people in the United States are affected by tinnitus, according to the CDC. If you are one of these people, your ENT specialist can help. Drs. Kathryn McGee, Kelly Long, and Joi Murray at Carolina Hearing Institute offer comprehensive audiology services, including treatment of tinnitus. They have several convenient office locations in Irmo, Columbia, Lugoff, Sumter, and Lexington, SC.

What You Need To Know About Tinnitus

Tinnitus can have a dramatic impact on your daily life. The constant ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling sound in your ears can affect you physically, causing:

• Headaches
• Hearing problems
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Nausea and vomiting

The constant sensations from tinnitus can also affect you mentally, causing:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Social isolation

If tinnitus goes untreated, it can have an impact on your daily life, affecting your:

• Performance at work
• Performance at school
• Relationships and family life

There are several factors which can cause tinnitus, from something as simple as a buildup of earwax, to sclerosis of the bones in your middle ear. Tinnitus can also be a side effect of some medications, including diuretics and antibiotics.

If you have tinnitus, you should visit your audiologist, who may begin with a CT scan, MRI, and other medical imaging to rule out structural issues as the cause of your tinnitus. Depending on the cause of your tinnitus, your audiologist may recommend:

• Hearing aids, which will reduce or eliminate symptoms of tinnitus and help you hear better
• Cochlear implants can help restore hearing loss caused by tinnitus
• Sound therapy, to reduce unwanted noise
• Counseling and training, to help you cope with tinnitus symptoms

Want To Know More About Tinnitus?

To learn more about tinnitus and its impact on daily life, call Drs. Kathryn McGee, Kelly Long, and Joi Murray at Carolina Hearing Institute. You can reach them in any of their office locations in Irmo, Columbia, Lugoff, Sumter, and Lexington, SC, by calling (803) 424-2208, so call today.