Hearing issues can negatively impact your quality of life, as they affect your communication and physical and mental well-being. There are various hearing issues, from tinnitus to hearing loss, and everyone manifests them differently. Thus, it becomes important to consult with an ENT doctor. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide on how an ENT doctor can help you through tinnitus and hearing loss.

• Common Ear Issues: Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
The two most common ear-related issues are tinnitus and hearing loss, where some might experience ringing in their ears, whereas others might find it difficult to hear in crowded spaces. So, before you opt for treatment at an ear clinic, you must know the causes to detect the issue at the right time.

• Tinnitus
Tinnitus is mainly experienced as a ringing or buzzing sound. It is a perception of sound; no external noise is heard except for hissing or roaring in the ears. The severity tends to vary from person to person. One might experience mild irritation, but others might experience anxiety or even difficulty sleeping.

• Causes of Tinnitus
There can be several factors leading to tinnitus, such as:

1. If the ear is exposed to loud noises, it can damage the hair cells present inside the inner ear.
2. It can be an aging process and lead to slow hearing loss.
3. If there are ear infections or blockages due to earwax buildup.
4. If one has too many medicines to treat antibiotics, diuretics, or chemotherapy.

Tinnitus isn't always a sign of a severe health problem, but it can significantly impact daily life, so it's essential to seek professional help if the symptoms persist.

• Treatment
An ENT can treat tinnitus through sound therapy, which uses white noise machines or hearing aids to generate sound and mask the effect of tinnitus, making it less noticeable day by day. They can also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to change their response to tinnitus or medication adjustments in case tinnitus has developed due to a drug's side effects.

• Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect people of any age and can occur due to genetics, environmental, or age-related factors. It can range from mild to profound and, if left untreated, can lead to social isolation or even communication problems.

• Causes of Hearing Loss
The common causes of hearing loss are:

1. Being exposed to loud sounds or prolonged use of headphones.
2. It can also occur due to age-related hearing loss, such as presbycusis.
3. If you have an ear infection or suffer from otitis media.
4. If you had any ear or head injury.
5. It can be genetic or due to health conditions like diabetes.

Treatment
An ENT can diagnose the hearing loss and, based on the severity, provide you with hearing aids that amplify the sound, making it audible. You might have to go through cochlear implants to stimulate the auditory nerve if required. They can also suggest surgical treatments that help to repair ear damage and structural issues within the ear.

Conclusion
Hearing issues require early intervention, and only an experienced ENT specialist can provide their patients with protection and lifestyle adjustments. They can also offer a personalized treatment plan to manage tinnitus and hearing loss. So, contact an ENT doctor in your locality to improve your hearing health.