Abstract:
Our sense organs, along with our brains, give us a detailed understanding of the world around us. If something goes wrong with any of the sense organs, it will affect our everyday functioning. An example of this is hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing loss is defined as the loss of auditory (sound) information due to damage to the hearing system. Tinnitus is a sound that people can hear, but there is nothing around them that is generating this sound. It can occur as a result of hearing loss. People describe tinnitus as a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound, but there is no object around that is creating this sound. In this article, we describe some strategies that can be used to protect our hearing, such as moving away from the sound source, protecting the ears, and reducing the volume levels of the sound-producing devices. There is no cure for tinnitus yet. We also discuss ways to manage tinnitus, such as educating yourself about tinnitus, relaxation, focusing your attention away from tinnitus, and seeking the help of a doctor.