COVID-19 and Tinnitus

If you’ve ever thought about hearing aids and wondered, “How do I know they’re actually set up correctly for my ears?” you’re asking an excellent question.

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Anxiety can cause many ailments, including tinnitus. Meanwhile, tinnitus can worsen anxiety. The two together can fuel a vicious cycle, but there are ways to tame down each and help alleviate the tinnitus and anxiety relationship. The Vicious Cycle: How Tinnitus Fuels Anxiety Those who have or have had tinnitus will likely agree that the constant noise is hard to get relief from. For many, it can worsen anxiety, and for some, it can directly cause it. Unfortunately, tinnitus and mental health issues often feed on each other. When general anxiety elevates to a fight-or-flight response, it creates an elevation in heart rate and shortness of breath, which heightens tinnitus. Alone or together, tinnitus and anxiety often make it hard to relax, to fall asleep, and to stay asleep. For some, the combination of tinnitus and anxiety also leads to social avoidance and isolation. That worsens the anxiety and contributes to depression. Concern may grow that the tinnitus will never go away and that it may be a sign of something more serious. This can lead to insecurity about the future and a feeling of hopelessness. The Amplifier: How Anxiety Worsens Tinnitus Stress hormones, including adrenaline, cortisol, and epinephrine, affect the nervous system and can affect the auditory system itself, leading to a reduction of blood circulation in the ears. The overstimulation of the nervous system can also cause cell damage through a lack of oxygen, worsening tinnitus, and contributing to a loss of hearing. For those who experience panic attacks, both a temporary ringing and long-term tinnitus, along with a pulsating in the ear canals, may begin as a panic attack heightens. The sound and pulsations can contribute to anxiety and cause a fear of potential threats. As such, the tinnitus amplifies and becomes louder, more noticeable, and more irritating.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, you have probably wondered whether you really need a prescription hearing aid or if you can just grab one from a big box store or the internet.

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Wondering why tinnitus treatment isn't covered by insurance? Learn what most policies exclude, why it happens, and how you can still get effective care in Arizona.

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We’re still surprised how many people have outdated ideas about what hearing aids are like. It’s common for patients to come in expecting large, uncomfortable devices that distort sounds or make everything seem tinny or artificial. In fact, one of the first things many of our patients say is, “I can’t believe how natural everything sounds!” Or they might remark on how comfortable they are to wear. We love pleasantly surprising people!