Many things can cause or exacerbate symptoms of tinnitus, including hearing loss or an ear injury. Another common cause of ringing in the ears can be too much earwax.
A Closer Look at Tinnitus 
Tinnitus is frequently described as experiencing a ringing sensation in one or, less commonly, both ears. However, tinnitus can experience a range of noises, including buzzing, clicking, whooshing, roaring and hissing, among other sounds.
Most cases of tinnitus are subjective, which means only the person experiencing symptoms can hear the noise. Far less frequently, people experience objective tinnitus that can be detected by medical providers and is often caused by conditions affecting the blood vessels.
Tinnitus is a symptom of many other conditions, and while it may not always be possible to find the root cause, doing so can help determine your best treatment options.
Is Earwax Buildup Causing Your Tinnitus?
In normal amounts, earwax is essential to protecting your ears by trapping things like bacteria, dust and other debris from causing damage.
Also, contrary to popular belief, earwax usually works itself out of your ear on its own and doesn’t require you to use a cotton swab to clean out your ears. Doing so can actually push wax deeper into the canal, leading to earwax impaction.
When too much earwax buildup occurs, either due to improper cleaning techniques or for other reasons that causes symptoms, it should be removed by a professional. Symptoms include hearing loss, itching, ear pain and tinnitus.
Earwax Removal May Help Tinnitus
If you believe that earwax buildup is causing or worsening your tinnitus symptoms, schedule an appointment with a medical provider for an ear examination. If you have earwax buildup, they will likely remove it in the office with a small suction device. They may also prescribe drops to help soften the wax, making it easier to move out of your ear.
Manage The Ringing in Your Ears
Regardless of the cause of your tinnitus, if you’re experiencing symptoms that are interfering with your daily life and making it harder to sleep, work or enjoy conversations with friends at Cottonwood Grille, schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist. They can help you manage your tinnitus symptoms with various treatment options like:
- Tinnitus retraining therapy
- Acoustic or sound therapy
- Hearing aids
- Cognitive behavioral strategies and relaxation techniques
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Southwest Idaho ENT today.