Tinnitus, or ear ringing, affects an estimated 50 million adults in the United States. For most people the condition is merely an annoyance by the buzzing, chirping, hissing, ringing, roaring, or whistling sounds (imagine crickets x's 20). In severe cases, however, tinnitus can cause people to have difficulty concentrating and sleeping. It may eventually interfere with work and personal relationships, resulting in psychological distress. About 12 million people seek medical help for severe tinnitus every year. In many cases tinnitus is an effect of load noises over a period of time. Many would think that this is something that only affects the old. Those people would be wrong. Think of the DJ (disc jockey), avid live concert goer, or a machinist. Tinnitus knows no bounds.

Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is usually caused by a head injury, an infection, a disease or exposure to loud sounds such as gunshots and explosions.

Ringing ear can be a sign of hearing loss, or it can result from head injuries, or diseases that range from the common cold to diabetes. People who work with noisy equipment, such as power tools, can also get it.Tinnitus may be initiated by other loud noises, such as a gunshots, explosions, loud live concerts and headphones being to loud. Additionally it can also be a symptom of almost any ear disorder, including the following:

Ear infections

Blocked ear canal

Blocked eustachian tube

Otosolerosis

Meniere's diseas

Damage to the ear caused by drugs

Tinnitus may also occur with other disorders such as anemia, heart and blood vessel disorders including hypertension and arteriosclerosis, and low thyroid.

Biofeedback takes its place in dealing with tinnitus on the notion that a person has the ability to control their bodies automatic functions through pure willpower.

Biofeedback has been used for treatment of pain and stress disorders. In the case of tinnitus or ear ringing, it is presumed, that a persons psychological state of mind has something more to do with the tinnitus than the ringing ear itself. When using biofeedback for tinnitus, the goal is to decrease anxiety and stress levels that contribute to the tinnitus. A person is taught to relax and through multiple sessions, alleviate the stress that contributes to the ringing in the ear. Biofeedback is more effective if you combine it with relaxation techniques, self hypnotism and psychotherapy. A psychologist can work as a team with the ENT to gain maximum benefit from the therapy sessions. In this way you not only learn how to control your reactions to stress but you can explore the causes of the stress and your thoughts and behavior that contribute to it. Up to 80% of patients find some relief of their symptoms, and 20% of patients may find total relief in this therapy.

Biofeedback therapy is not recommended for persons with severe psychosis, depression, or debilitated patients with psychopathic personalities. People should check with their physician to see whether this is an appropriate treatment for them