Did you know that over 50 Million Americans claimed that their ears ran for at least 5 minutes in a year? If you are one amongst these millions of people, you are probably wondering if this ringing or Tinnitus is going to become a more permanent problem. Is Tinnitus temporary or is it permanent? Do you need to be scheduling a visit to the doctor’s office to get it checked out? The following passages will help you decide.
Is there family history of Tinnitus?
Does your family have a history of people suffering from Tinnitus? Was it long term or chronic for any of them? Also, was it debilitating for any of them? If you answered yes to these questions, yes, you must visit a doctor right away. Studies have shown that Tinnitus can be genetic and passed down. It is unlikely that you will get Tinnitus because your parents or grandparents had it. But, the studies did show that there is a much higher chance that you are more likely to have vulnerable or susceptible ears that can fall pretty to Tinnitus triggers or causes like loud noise exposure, ear infections or sinus infections.
Is there a family history of hearing loss?
Studies have also shown that 90% of people suffering from Tinnitus also suffer from hearing loss. In other words, hearing loss is a cause of Tinnitus. If you are experiencing even partial hearing loss or hearing troubles, it is recommended that you visit an audiologist to see if they can evaluate and diagnose your Tinnitus problem for you. Hearing loss also runs in the family. So, if there’s a long history of hearing loss, it makes a lot of sense to go in for tests every few years, to know when your hearing might be on the decline. Wearing hearing aids can greatly slow down the rate at which hearing deteriorates in a person.
Does your ringing come and go?
Did your ringing last for just 5 minutes and not come back? Or, does it keep coming back every now and then, lasting 5 minutes each time? If you answered in the latter, there’s a good chance that you probably have Tinnitus that is more chronic in nature. Again, visit an audiologist or an ENT to discuss your Tinnitus problem. They will then most probably order hearing tests. Results of this test will then be used as the starting point to try to understand what is causing your Tinnitus. Diagnosing and treating Tinnitus is often difficult as Tinnitus is mostly an idiopathic condition. But, when it is caused by hearing loss, it can be reversed, if the intervention is early. Tinnitus can also be managed with diet and lifestyle changes, where one simply cuts back on caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and unhealthy diets that are high in sugars, salts and fats.
Only a doctor can advise you further, after taking a good look at your history and circumstances under which your Tinnitus began.