Understanding Tinnitus: The Ringing in Your Ears

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of external stimuli. Learn about its causes, effects, and treatment options.

How Tinnitus Affects Daily Life

Tinnitus may occur in one or both ears, with varying intensity and frequency. The persistent noise can interfere with concentration, sleep, and emotional well-being, often contributing to stress and anxiety.

Prevalence and Common Causes

Tinnitus affects approximately 20% of Americans. In up to 90% of cases, it’s linked to hearing loss. Among war veterans, nearly 60% report symptoms due to combat-related noise exposure.

Hearing loss and tinnitus often co-occur, typically caused by aging or prolonged exposure to loud noise. Damage to inner ear hair cells disrupts sound transmission and may trigger phantom signals interpreted by the brain as sound.

Temporary and Treatable Triggers

Some cases of tinnitus are temporary and treatable. Common causes include:

• Earwax buildup
• Ear infections
• Certain medications

Addressing these issues often leads to symptom relief.

Types of Tinnitus

Subjective tinnitus affects 99% of individuals and is only audible to the person experiencing it. It’s commonly linked to aging or unsafe noise exposure.

Objective tinnitus is rare, affecting about 1% of cases. It may be heard by others nearby and is typically associated with vascular or muscular conditions.

Contributing Factors

Tinnitus can result from various environmental and physiological factors, including:

• Loud noise exposure
• Head or neck injuries
• Meniere’s disease
• Tumors
• Hormonal changes (e.g., during pregnancy)

Treatment Options

While there’s no universal cure, several therapies can help manage tinnitus:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Uses relaxation and coping strategies
• Sound Therapy: Employs white noise to mask tinnitus
• Neuromodulation Techniques: Retrain the brain to reduce tinnitus perception
• Hearing Aids: Improve hearing and reduce tinnitus-related strain

If you’re experiencing persistent ringing in your ears, consult a hearing specialist to explore personalized treatment options.

For more information, speak with your audiologist.