Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a ringing in the ear that affects up to 50 million people in the United States. Richard D. Orgill, MD, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, provides comprehensive care for tinnitus in children and adults. Dr. Orgill is a board-certified ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist who sees many patients at his two offices with tinnitus and hearing loss. For help with your tinnitus, call the office or request an appointment online today.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom that causes what many describe as a ringing, roaring, or buzzing sound in their ear. The sound varies in pitch and volume and may affect one or both ears.

Tinnitus is a common problem that affects people of all ages. 

Dr. Orgill is an experienced ENT physician who understands the frustration many of his patients have when they suddenly start hearing a sound that no one else can hear. He finds that many patients with tinnitus also have hearing loss, which may come on suddenly. 

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom that signals something is wrong with your auditory system. Common causes of tinnitus include:

• Sinus infection
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Meniere’s disease (ear disorder that affects balance)
• Excessive earwax
• Allergies
• Foreign object in the ear
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Hormonal changes
• Brain tumor

Age-related hearing loss may also cause tinnitus. Sometimes, however, the cause of tinnitus is unknown.

What happens during a tinnitus evaluation?

Dr. Orgill conducts a thorough evaluation when you come in with complaints about tinnitus. He aims to find the root cause of your symptom to create the most effective treatment plan.

Dr. Orgill reviews your symptoms and asks when they started. He also asks about your medical history and examines your ears, nose, and throat. Dr. Orgill may run diagnostic tests, such as a hearing test, tympanometry (check of the eardrums), or an MRI, to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

What are the treatments for tinnitus?

Treatment for your tinnitus depends on the cause. Dr. Orgill talks to you about your symptoms, the findings from your exam, and his treatment recommendation. He then works with you to create a personalized treatment plan.

If he identifies the cause of your tinnitus, Dr. Orgill focuses on treating the underlying condition to alleviate your symptoms. That might include treatment for allergies, sinus surgery for sinusitis, or the use of hearing aids for hearing loss.

If the cause is unknown, Dr. Orgill may recommend using sound generators or environmental enrichment devices to create sounds that distract you from the ringing. He may also recommend counseling and relaxation therapy.

To find out what’s causing your tinnitus, call Richard D. Orgill, MD, or request an ointment online today.