Tinnitus is a term that describes the perception of noises like humming, ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing, or even roaring within the ear. Ranging from mild to severe, the symptoms of tinnitus can be very troubling to those experiencing it, preventing them from leading the same quality of life that they were previously experiencing. For many, the question is, does tinnitus go away? If you currently have it, let's learn more about this medical phenomenon, what you can do about it, and whether or not full treatment is a possibility.

What causes tinnitus?

Understanding tinnitus begins with understanding what can lead to the development and effects of tinnitus. So, what causes you to hear these perceived noises? Some of the conditions that may be the cause of tinnitus or worsen existing symptoms include:

• Hearing loss that occurs naturally with aging
• Short-term or long-term exposure to loud noises
• Blockages in the ear caused by ear wax
• Otosclerosis, which causes changes to the bones in your middle ear
• Meniere's disease or TMJ disorders
• Injuries to the head or neck
• Muscle spasms within the ear
• Acoustic neuroma (a type of tumor growing on the cranial nerve)
• Blood vessel disorders like atherosclerosis or arteriovenous malformation

In some cases, certain medications may actually be causing the noises that you are experiencing. These can include medications like cancer drugs, aspirin or other NSAIDs, some antibiotics, antidepressants, antimalarial drugs, anticonvulsants, and diuretics. Tinnitus is also something that can be caused or worsened by substances like caffeine or even by stress and anxiety. When it comes to the severity of your tinnitus, these can all have an impact.

Although much of the above information can be quite concerning, much of it can also be great news for those who are dealing with tinnitus. This is due to the fact that, with a better understanding of what is causing your tinnitus symptoms, you may be able to then to successfully treat it.

Is it treatable? Will it go away?

The first step to take if you have tinnitus is to reach out to a tinnitus specialist such as those employed by Hearing Health USA. These specialists will give you a hearing test and help you better understand what you are experiencing and to deliver the necessary testing that will evaluate your hearing and better assess your current hearing capabilities. If you do have one of the conditions listed above and there may be a cause directly linked to your tinnitus, the good news is that you may experience relief once your underlying condition is treated.

For other individuals, however, it is important to know that tinnitus can be a chronic condition. If you should have chronic tinnitus, a tinnitus specialist will help you find ways to make the sounds less noticeable and help you cope with the effects of the sounds, which they will do through the use of treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, tinnitus sound therapy, tinnitus maskers, biofeedback therapy and stress management, and hearing aids. No matter whether you have a chronic condition or you have an underlying condition that needs to be treated in order to cure the tinnitus, there are treatment plans available for everyone.

Tinnitus sufferers can deal with debilitating symptoms that make their day-to-day life difficult, but you don't have to let tinnitus run yours. If you are experiencing unexplained noises within your ear that persist throughout the day and are looking for relief, use the guide above to learn more about what causes tinnitus and what the next step may be for you. With effective treatment and persistence, you will be able to either eliminate or break free of the control that your tinnitus symptoms have over you!