patients who have tinnitus. Tin-
nitus is a common problem—and
it affects between 25 to 50 million
adults and children in the United
States. Tinnitus can be chronic or
temporary.
“Tinnitus can occur as a result
of aging or due to noise exposure,
ear infections or any other ear dis-
ease. It can occur in one or both
ears, and men are usually more
susceptible to developing tinnitus,”
says Hrair A. Koutnouyan, MD, an
otolaryngologist at Glendale Adven-
tist Medical Center (GAMC). Tin-
nitus may develop from exposure
to loud noises in workplaces such
as construction sites or busy kitch-
ens. Outside of work, one of the
most common causes of exposure
is recreation, like being at shooting
ranges, concerts or simply listening
to loud music with headphones.
Other causes of tinnitus include
hearing disorders, infections and
even cancer.
Tinnitus is usually a symp-
tom of something else. Medical
causes can also include head in-
jury, migraines, anemia, stress,
hypertension, or excess coffee or
cigarettes.
THE EFFECTS OF T INNI TUS
Symptoms are different for every
person—some chronic tinnitus
sufferers are deeply bothered by
the noise while others are less
affected. Many patients report
having trouble sleeping or under-
standing speech or feeling frustra-
tion, irritation or annoyance as the
result of the chronic noise.
“If you’re experiencing chronic
ringing in either one or both ears,
clicking, dizziness, and even pain,
it’s time to make an appointment
with an ear, nose and throat special-
ist,” says Dr. Koutnouyan.
It is important to treat the un-
derlying issues that cause tinnitus.
Timely evaluation and audiologi-
cal tests are critical for the proper
management of tinnitus and can
result in significant improvement
and functionality. Your doctor or
a specialist can help you find the
most appropriate management
options, which can include hear-
ing aids, therapy and relaxation
techniques.
To prevent further damage,
Dr. Koutnouyan recommends regu-
lar checkups and protecting your
ears from loud noises.
NEW YEAR, NEW HEAR
It’s hard
to take note of your hearing dur-
ing this busy holiday season. Find
some quiet time away from the
commotion to focus on yourself
and be watchful of any changes
you may be having with your
hearing.
For a GAMC physi-
cian referral, call
(818)
409-8100
.
MYADVENTISTHEALTH
Get a direct link to your
personal electronic
health record! With
MyAdventistHealth, you
can manage your health
care 24/7:
■
Request to schedule,
reschedule or cancel ap-
pointments any time.
■
Receive reminders of
important care items.
■
Send a message to
your doctor.
■
Access health records.
For information on
how you can sign up for
MyAdventistHealth, call
(818) 409-8000
.
DONATE BLOOD
AND SAVE LIVES
Red Cross Blood Drive
Monday, Dec. 29
7:15 AM to 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Make an appointment
at
redcrossblood.org
and enter sponsor code
glendaleadaventist
or call
(818) 992-2008
.
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I N
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HAND SURGERY
NEW TREATMENT FOR TRIGGER FINGER
The sounds of the season are many, from the jolly laughter of old St. Nick to the hustle
and bustle of excited holiday shoppers. There are certainly many sounds we hear
during the holidays, but one sound to be attuned to is the sound of ringing. Not the
ringing of sleigh bells, but an actual ringing or buzzing in your ear.
✦
Ringing,
buzzing, humming, hissing and whistling are all some of the descriptions used by
Hrair Koutnouyan, MD
healthline
quarterly
A D V E N T I S T H E A LT H . O R G / G L E N D A L E
A N A W A R D - W I N N I N G P U B L I C AT I O N
DO YOU HEAR
what I hear?
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