Do I Really Have Tinnitus?

Man sits, rubbing his eyes; tinnitus concept

People who have high-intensity tinnitus probably scoff at those who wonder if they even have the condition. But because tinnitus varies in intensity and sound type, wondering if you even have tinnitus is a valid question.

If the sounds in your head (that no one else hears) are faint and come and go, you may have a form of intermittent tinnitus. As long as the noises aren't noticeable and don't bother you, it's certainly livable and shouldn't interfere with your daily life.

You can have bouts of tinnitus which go away quickly. These episodic events are typically caused by loud noises (concerts, for example) and even mundane things like sneezing too hard. You'll hear ringing in your ears for a while, and then everything's back to normal.

It's when the sounds are high-frequency or high-volume plus unrelenting that you'll know without question that you have tinnitus.

The tinnitus itself is not a cause for alarm -- after all, it can go away by itself. It's how you experience react to the condition that causes trouble.

Ask yourself:

Is my mood affected by my tinnitus? Am I irritable most of the time?
Do I still enjoy life, or is my well-being too badly affected?
Can I sleep well or do the sounds in my head interfere with my rest?
Am I able to relax with my tinnitus?

If you see how much interference you're experiencing because of tinnitus, then the answer is yes, you have tinnitus.

So, what do you do?

Whether you can live without noticing your tinnitus or the condition is unbearable, tinnitus is often part of hearing loss. Once you notice the noises and sounds (whistling, buzzing or thumping), it's probably a good idea to get your hearing checked. Discuss the findings with an audiologist and see what treatment options are available to you.

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