Tinnitus

Okay, that makes age-related loss of hearing (which is often associated with tinnitus) less likely.

Even so, you should get your hearing checked as tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss. In fact, any cause of hearing loss may be associated with tinnitus. For example, excessive buildup of wax in the ear may cause diminished hearing and tinnitus.

As you probably know, noise can cause a long list of hearing problems -- tinnitus is on that list! Our next questions are about sounds to which you've been exposed.

Have you been exposed to any sounds lately that were so loud it felt uncomfortable? Have you been around loud noises for a prolonged period of time? Yes, I've been around very loud noises. No, I don't think I've had much noise exposure.

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Date Last Modified: 12/9/2008 Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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