Because tinnitus is a subjective condition, it can be incredibly difficult to know when you’ve reached a point where medical intervention has become necessary. It’s tempting to believe that you can live with it, that you can deal with it at home. Let’s discuss the warning signs that it’s time to get help.
The Ringing Is Persistent
For most people, tinnitus is somewhat intermittent, coming in spikes and then receding again. However, if your tinnitus is incessant and persists for days or even weeks, that’s a severe case that warrants attention and professional tinnitus management.
It Occurs with Other Hearing Issues
Tinnitus never exists in a vacuum, and it can be connected to other hearing issues, such as hearing loss or extreme sound sensitivity. In fact, 90% of tinnitus cases also occur with hearing loss. If your tinnitus is accompanied by muffled hearing, difficulty hearing in noisy environments, sudden hearing loss or hyperacusis, see an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing examination.
It’s Impeding Daily Life
Tinnitus is distressing and annoying, and it can have massive ripple effects on your quality of life, including:
- Interrupted sleep
- Increased anxiety
- Increased stress
- Brain fog
If you’re experiencing any of these, your at-home tinnitus management is untenable and causing you more issues. Find the relief you need and seek help.
You’re Experiencing Balance Problems
Have you noticed that, in addition to your tinnitus, you’ve been more clumsy lately? Tripping over often or even falling? The inner ear is the seat of both your auditory system and your balance system, thus hearing and balance are more closely related than you might originally realize. Balance issues alongside tinnitus could indicate an inner ear disorder, such as Meniere’s Disease, which requires medical attention.
Call Us!
As experts in hearing, balance and the inner ear, our audiology team is well-equipped to help you with your tinnitus. Don’t suffer alone; call Aspen Audiology today if you’re experiencing any of the warning signs we discussed here.