Tinnitus is the awareness of sound that originates from inside the ears rather than from an external source. Many people describe it as ringing, buzzing, rushing, or humming in the ears. While tinnitus is actually common to all of us, with normal hearing the brain pushes these sounds into the background so that we are usually unaware of them.
Tinnitus can be triggered or made worse by a number of factors. It is often linked to hearing loss, but can also be brought on by strong prescription drugs, chemotherapy, or other medical treatments.
The inner ear is particularly sensitive to the quality of blood supply it receives. If the bloodstream contains too many toxins, the inner ear may struggle to work properly. In cases of hearing loss, the brain sometimes tries to “fill in the gaps” by amplifying certain pitches of sound — higher or lower than we would normally hear. If those frequencies are extreme, you may begin to notice new noises, such as a rushing sound. This is often the inner ear picking up the flow of blood through its blood vessels — something that would usually go unnoticed with normal hearing.
Although tinnitus can be distressing, the good news is that there are many therapies and tinnitus programmes available. Modern hearing aids often include tinnitus management features, which can provide soothing sounds or programs designed to reduce the perception of tinnitus and make it less intrusive in daily life.
The first step to addressing tinnitus is to understand whether it is linked to any hearing loss. That’s why we offer free hearing tests in Ruthin, where we can also carry out a tinnitus assessment. By understanding your individual situation, we can recommend the most suitable therapies, hearing aid options, or management programmes to help reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life.
If you are experiencing ringing, buzzing, or rushing noises in your ears, don’t ignore it. Please feel free to get in touch or pop in for a chat and a free hearing test. We’ll listen to your concerns, assess your hearing and tinnitus, and discuss the best options to help you find relief.
