Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head not caused by an external sound source. Ringing and buzzing sounds may be heard in one or both ears or appear to be generally in the head region, but this can vary, and it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where the sounds seem to occur.
Tinnitus is not an illness or a disease in itself, but it is often a symptom of a problem with the ear or the hearing pathways to the brain. Usually, it occurs when the inner ear is damaged or impaired in some way.
Most of the time, tinnitus is a symptom of a larger hearing health condition, though other factors may also trigger it. Common causes include:
Additionally – and although anyone can develop tinnitus – there are risk factors associated with the condition:
Tinnitus is often described as a "ringing in the ears” or a “high-pitched tone or noise”. However, each case is different, and what people with the condition hear can range from hissing or whooshing to roaring, whistling or clicking. Plus, some people hear it constantly, while for others, it is intermittent and may affect one or both ears.
Whether tinnitus occurs daily or at specific times, it can have a noticeable effect on your concentration levels and ability to focus on other sounds or conversations around you. You may find that the condition worsens according to posture, often due to the pressure changes associated with moving your head or lying down. The noise can also seem more prominent when you're tired or stressed or in noticeably quiet surroundings.
As for severe or long-standing tinnitus, the symptoms tend to align with one of two disorders:
Tinnitus is not a disease itself or a cause of hearing loss. It is a symptom that can indicate that something may be wrong somewhere in the auditory system, which can include the cochlea, the auditory nerve and the areas of the brain that process sound.
In about 90% of cases, it accompanies hearing loss, and an individual can have both hearing loss and tinnitus from noise damage. However, the two do not always occur together. It is possible to have no measurable hearing loss but experience tinnitus.
There isn’t one set answer to this question, as it varies from case to case. Some people may experience ear ringing for a few hours, while others may struggle with the condition for months, and others may even have it permanently.
How long tinnitus lasts usually depends on its cause. Short-term tinnitus often happens after you’ve been exposed to a very loud noise, which temporarily damages the hairs lining the ear canal. Tinnitus that lasts for a few days may be the result of build-up in the ear canal and it may require medical attention. Lastly, long-term tinnitus is typically an aftermath of old age, constant exposure to loud noises or ear bone damage.
While in many cases, there is no ‘magical cure’ for tinnitus, there are a number of very effective options to manage the condition and your body’s response to it.
Hearing aids can help manage your tinnitus as they assist in overcoming any underlying hearing loss. By reducing the amount of attention your brain is paying to the ringing, these devices can minimise or, for some people, even eliminate it altogether.
If you’re experiencing hearing challenges as well as ringing, a hearing solution with built-in sound generators may be prescribed as a way to minimise the effects of tinnitus.
Sound therapy has also been proven to effectively relieve tinnitus symptoms – and this is especially true when used in conjunction with hearing aids. This type of therapy is designed to assist the hearing centres of the brain in ‘tuning out’ the tinnitus, using external sounds, such as music or a static-like noise, to partially obscure the tinnitus signal. Over time, the brain becomes able to automatically tune out the sound of the tinnitus.
Additionally, simple changes like using volume-limiting headphones when listening to music and playing calming sounds while trying to sleep or in quiet environments can make a big difference.
If your tinnitus is particularly loud, causing you to experience sleeping difficulties, stress or anxiety, it is worth consulting your GP or your local Bay Audiology clinic, as sometimes there are simple causes, which once addressed, may alleviate or cure the condition.
Relaxation and stress management techniques are often recommended if your tinnitus is triggered by emotional stress. If, on the other hand, you have underlying conditions such as ear infections or blockages, these can usually be remedied by a short course of antibiotics, ear drops or ear wax removal.
Although, in some cases, tinnitus is unavoidable, there are things you can do to reduce your likelihood of developing the condition:
Make lifestyle changes: exercise regularly, minimise your consumption of alcohol and caffeine, maintain good posture and prioritise sleep.
No matter what causes it, how long you experience it or what you actually hear, tinnitus can be an incredibly distressing condition to live with. But the good news is that there are ways to find relief and regain your quality of life.
If you believe you may have tinnitus or are concerned about your hearing, the expert audiologists at Bay Audiology can help. Book an appointment today and find a treatment that’s right for you.