Health
Tinnitus: Making Sense of “Head Noises” Buzzzzzzzz Ringing, whooshing, chirp-
ing, pulsing, and hearing things in your head that no one else does? Many people think of ringing in their ears as tinnitus, but the ringing is really just one of the forms these sounds can take. Fifty million people in the United States have experienced tinnitus – that’s one out of five people! So there is a very good chance that you know someone with tinnitus. Thirty million people state tinnitus impacts their daily life. That is one out of 10 people who may have problems falling asleep, concentrating when reading or watching TV, or finding it hard to follow a conversation, all because of tinnitus.
What is tinnitus?
The definition of tinnitus is the perception of a sound that doesn’t exist in the environment. Many people will ask what causes tinnitus. The reality is that we do not know the exact physical reason. We do know of many things that trigger tinnitus such as loud sounds, factory noise, construction, or rock concerts, particularly if for long periods of time. Certain medications and supplements, both prescription and over-the-counter, can aggravate the
condition. Many of our favorite foods, particularly those with salt, caffeine, or alcohol, work against us. Trauma to the head and neck as well as some medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders or hypo/hypertension, may also impact tinnitus.
What does it mean to have tinnitus?
Joe Simpson
Research has shown that the most successful way to manage tinnitus involves three basic components: 1) A sound stimulus to help distract the brain from the tinnitus 2) Education and counseling about tinnitus 3) Amplification if the patient has hearing loss
Tinnitus often doesn’t occur alone; the two most common symptoms are hyperacusis and hearing loss. Hyperacusis is a sensitivity to loud sounds. In extreme cases, the ring of the telephone may be too loud. More often, raised voices or loud environments may cause discomfort or make the person become tired and easily overwhelmed. Hearing loss is very common with tinnitus as well, but many people are not aware of the hearing loss. They may believe that it is the tinnitus that is causing the problems with hearing and understanding the people in their life.
New devices have been created just for tinnitus patients that utilize all three of the options. These new devices are designed to provide a custom sound stimulus to help distract the brain from the tinnitus. These devices, combined with education and counseling, offer one of the best options to manage tinnitus. If you suffer or are distracted with tinnitus, there may be a simple solution. Whatever your case may be, let your local Audibel help you. Give them a call at 865-566-0370 to find the solution for you.
Can anything be done?
4817 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 865.566.0370 www.tn.audibel.com
There are hundreds of “cures” for tinnitus on the internet, but the reality is there is no cure. There are ways to manage tinnitus.
Audibel Hearing Aid Center
Summer Movie Magic Series at the Tennessee Theatre The Godfather Part II August 16 at 8 pm August 18 at 2 pm The continuing saga of the Corleone crime family tells the story of a young Vito Corleone growing up in Sicily and in 1910s New York and follows Michael Corleone in the 1950s as he attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood, and Cuba.
For more information, visit www.tennesseetheatre.com. 20
EVERYTHING KNOXVILLE August 2013
National Lampoon’s Animal House August 23 at 8 pm August 25 at 2 pm Faber College has one frat house so disreputable it will take anyone. It has a second one full of white, rich young men who are so sanctimonious that no one can stand them except Dean Wormer. The dean enlists the help of the second frat to get the boys of Delta House off campus, and his plan comes into play just before the homecoming parade to end all parades for all time.