Tinnitus is defined as a perception of sound heard in your ears or head. It is commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears.”  Tinnitus affects approximately 10-15% of the overall population and one in five people over the age of 55.

Tinnitus can be caused by ear problems in your outer, middle or inner ear. It also can be caused by problems with the hearing (auditory) nerves or the part of your brain that interprets nerve signals as sound (auditory pathways). Other forms of tinnitus may be caused by a blood vessel problem, a middle ear bone condition or muscle contractions.

There is a strong correlation between hearing loss and tinnitus. 80% of people experiencing tinnitus also have some form of hearing loss. Tinnitus can have a direct impact on a person’s emotional well-being and their ability to concentrate and sleep and therefore can affect an individual’s quality of life. Depression, stress, and anxiety are often side effects of the tinnitus.

We at Coastal Audiology are fully skilled and trained professionals in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.