Tinnitus

Tinnitus Treatment at Cooper University Health Care

Struggling with ringing in your ears? You’re not alone. Tinnitus affects one in five people and can sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking—sometimes constant, sometimes intermittent. It may occur in one or both ears and vary in volume and pitch.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. The most common type is subjective tinnitus, which only you can hear. A rare form, objective tinnitus, can be heard by your doctor and may be linked to blood vessel issues or muscle contractions.

Common Causes

• Inner ear nerve damage.
• Middle ear bone stiffness.
• Aging.
• Loud noise exposure.
• Earwax buildup.
• Allergies.
• High/low blood pressure.
• Diabetes, thyroid issues.
• Head or neck injury.
• Certain medications.
• Jaw misalignment.
• COVID-19 infection.

Risk Factors

• Loud environments: Such as construction, music, military exposure.
• Age-related hearing loss: Related to fewer functioning nerve fibers in ears.
• Smoking.
• Cardiovascular conditions: Particularly conditions affecting blood flow.
• Gender:  Men are more likely to develop tinnitus .

Symptoms

• Ringing.
• Roaring.
• Buzzing.
• Hissing.
• Clicking.

Diagnosis

Our ENT specialists conduct a full medical history, physical exam, and hearing tests. Additional evaluations may be recommended based on your symptoms.

Treatment Options

While there’s no cure, many patients find relief through:

• Hearing aids – amplify external sounds.
• Cochlear implants – for severe hearing loss.
• Sound maskers – electronic devices that create sound to reduce tinnitus perception.
• Medication – to address problems related to the condition or improve sleep or mood. Some medications worsen tinnitus, including certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, diuretics, quinine medications, antidepressants, and high doses of aspirin.
• Tinnitus retraining therapy – combines counseling and sound therapy.
• Relaxation techniques – reducing stress may relieve symptoms.
• Counseling and support groups – help manage emotional impact.

Why Choose Cooper for Tinnitus Treatment

Our fellowship-trained ENT specialists and audiologists offer advanced, compassionate care. As South Jersey’s only academic health system, Cooper delivers cutting-edge therapies tailored to your needs.