Tinnitus is one of the most frustrating health conditions that anyone could ever encounter. It is characterized by hearing sounds such as clicking or whistling even when there is no source of external sound. This can occur in one ear or both.

Whether continuous or intermittent, tinnitus has the ability to bring significant disruption to your daily life. Finding a fast and suitable treatment is the only way to restore a sense of normality to your life, which is why visiting an audiologist is vital.

However, it’s worth remembering that tinnitus is actually a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a problem itself. Consequently, the first thing the audiologist will do is try to find out why you hear those internal sounds. Here are three likely answers.

Ear infections and wax build-up

Tinnitus is regularly caused by nothing more than an ear infection or wax build-up that has blocked the canal. If you only hear those sounds in one ear, there’s a strong chance that this will be the root of your problems.

The audiologist can spot wax and ear infections via a quick and easy physical inspection. While this might not be the only reason for tinnitus, treating those issues will at least see the frequency of those sounds decline. In many cases, it’ll clear the problem altogether.

On a similar note, fluid caused by glue ear and swimmer’s ear can cause tinnitus. Again, the audiologist can spot this very quickly. The body will naturally heal these issues over time, although it may be possible to speed up the process.

Hearing loss

More specifically, tinnitus may be caused due to hearing loss that’s associated with the hair cells within the cochlea. Those hair cells serve as sensory receptors. When they become damaged, the lack of external sound can make the internal sounds more noticeable.

The hair cells can become damaged for a host of reasons, including general wear and tear due to aging or exposure to loud noise. When the audiologist spots this type of sensorineural problem, treating the hearing loss is the most effective way to help the tinnitus subside.

Hearing aids are the most common solution, but therapy may also be used to help you mentally block those internal sounds. One way or another, this will prevent tinnitus from impacting your life in such a negative fashion.

Meniere’s disease

Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects balance and hearing. It can be accompanied by a host of other symptoms, including bouts of vertigo. Unsurprisingly, the inner ear condition often leads to the onset of tinnitus too.

The unpredictable nature of tinnitus striking makes this source particularly frustrating. The sooner you gain a diagnosis from the audiologist, the sooner you can find a treatment to reduce the impact it brings.

Other issues related to tinnitus can include stress, anxiety, and diabetes. So, the signs won’t always indicate hearing loss or problems directly linked to the ears. Still, visiting the audiologist is the only way to be sure.