The Connections Bridgewater-Somerville Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2019

theconnectionsnj.com 311 S. Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835 www.SomersetDentalAssoc.com New Patient Special Only $125 Reg. $295 Valid for 60 days • Implants (placed and restored in our facility) • Full-Mouth Reconstruction • Cosmetic Dentistry • Porcelain Veneers • Crowns & Bridges • Zoom Whitening • Tooth-Colored Fillings • Metal-Free Partials • Extractions & Dentures • Clear Braces Dentistry for the Entire Family 908-253-3660 Welcoming New Patients In Office Whitening Opalescence Boost $399 (After Dental Cleaning) Valid for 60 days $750 OFF Invisalign with FREE Retainers $375 Value Valid for 60 days No insurance? No problem! Inquire about our affordable in-office subscription plan Financing Available CareCredit ® Same Day Denture Repairs Most Insurance Plans Accepted • Senior & Veteran’s Discounts WHAT’S THAT RINGING? By: Todd A. Schneiderman, M.D. F.A.C.S. Have you ever had this annoying ringing sound in your head that just will not go away? Well, you most likely aren’t crazy, but just have tinnitus! Tinnitus, known commonly as a “ringing of the ear,” is a condition in which people experience sounds where there is really no actual external stimulus (aka actual sound). Tinnitus presents in many different ways, such as whistling, whooshing, clicking, hissing or buzzing. It may be a continu- ous sound, pulsatile (throbbing, perhaps with heartbeats) or intermittent, ranging in both volume and frequency. The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) esti- mates that millions of Americans “expe- rience tinnitus, often to a debilitating degree, making it one of the most com- mon health conditions in the country.” With approximately 15% of Americans – over 50 million people – experiencing either temporary or chronic tinnitus, it is becoming a serious health and well- being issue. Sometime this condition can significantly interfere with everyday life, and the ATA estimates that about 2 mil- lion people experience debilitating cases. While it is frustrating and doesn’t feel great, tinnitus is not an isolated condition in and of itself. The appearance of tinni- tus often points to other underlying caus- es or health conditions. There are rough- ly 200 different health disorders that can generate tinnitus as a symptom! Identify- ing and treating both tinnitus and under- lying causes often leads to a reduction or near elimination of the symptoms. It is pretty easy to understand how this condition can often contribute to increased levels of stress and depression. Imagine having an unwanted soundtrack in your head that seems impossible to turn off. Tinnitus has been linked to memory problems, too; including the ability to concentrate and general fatigue. Overall, the symptoms easily affect a person’s emotional well-being, thus interfering with social interaction and even employment. Thankfully, in recent years, tinnitus has begun to receive much more attention and more dedicated research. This may be because of the links found to hearing loss or damage. The US Department of Defense has put millions of dollars into tinnitus research, due to a high number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer- ing from tinnitus after exposure to the shocking, loud sounds of war. Noise exposure may damage the ear and is a common cause of hearing loss and ring- ing in the ear. In most of these cases, vet- erans suffered varying levels of hearing loss; and tinnitus symptoms. Remember, it is not just veterans that experience hearing damage that can lead to tinnitus. Repeated exposure to loud music (both headphones and concerts) or even worksite or factory conditions can damage your hearing over time. Be careful when you are adjusting your vol- ume and consider wearing earplugs when going out to loud places. The condition is evaluated in the office through a detailed patient history, physi- cal exam and hearing test. Sometimes, imaging such as an MRI may be consid- ered. If the tinnitus is pulsatile, cardiolo- gy consultation may be needed, and your ENT will get you a referral While there is no complete cure for tinni- tus, there are many effective treatments. Masking the noise with a fan, radio or tel- evision may help short-term. As tinnitus appears in 80-90% of hearing loss cases, hearing aid manufacturers have begun producing hearing aids that address tinni- tus. The treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids can also help with any per- sistent ringing, thus is often an effective treatment for bothersome symptoms. Hearing aids amplify sounds in your envi- ronment, and by providing clear external sound signals, this could help with inter- nal sounds of tinnitus. In patients with no hearing loss, a hearing aid device may still be used, but with a masking sound with volume amplification. As a more therapeutic approach, many hearing aid manufacturers now offer sound masking options in the form of synthetic or nature sounds that mask the irritating sounds of tinnitus and also re- train the brain to hear. The most important thing is to protect your hearing before you become at-risk of developing tinnitus. Prevention is key, so wear your earplugs and avoid pro- longed or extreme noise exposure when- ever possible! You can schedule an appointment with Schneiderman ENT to get a hearing evaluation even if you do not have symptoms. If you are experienc- ing tinnitus symptoms, make an appoint- ment for diagnosis and treatment options. PAGE 26 Health & Wellness