A common hearing health issue among American adults is beginning to become more visible as some of its more famous sufferers speak up about its sometimes devastating effects. Musicians like Phil Collins, Pete Townsend and Chris Martin are just a few big names that have publicly come out with their diagnosis.
Tinnitus is a persistent and sometimes incurable condition that often goes hand in hand with hearing loss. About 90 percent of the 50 million Americans with tinnitus also have hearing loss. However, living with hearing loss doesn’t mean you’ll also experience tinnitus, as only about 30 percent of people with hearing loss have both conditions.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus most often brings about subjective symptoms, because it’s classified as hearing sound when none is present. People with this condition most often hear ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds that only they can hear. The unceasing sound can also take the shape of clicking, humming or roaring noises.
In very rare cases, people’s tinnitus shows up as a thumping or rhythmic oscillating sound that matches your heartbeat. Experts refer to this as pulsatile tinnitus, and it can be heard by others such as your physician when they do an examination. Because this tinnitus symptom can be cobberated by others, it is technically an objective type.
Causes of tinnitus
The majority of cases of tinnitus are associated with some instance of hearing loss. When the inner ear cells responsible for collecting sound information are damaged, through age or noise exposure, we lose access to hearing the full spectrum of sounds our brains have been used to receiving sound information about. One theory among medical professionals is that tinnitus is the brain’s way of replacing those sounds.
For other people, tinnitus arises when circulatory issues interrupt blood flow to the ear, also damaging the inner ear structures.
Certain medications, like anti-inflammatory drugs Aspirin or Ibuprofen, can cause toxicity to the ear resulting in an onset of tinnitus or other hearing issues. Ear infections and blockages might change the pressure within the ears and cause tinnitus symptoms. In many instances, ceasing these medications, treating the infection or removing the obstruction will resolve tinnitus symptoms.
Other traumas or illnesses that affect the inner structure of the ear can bring about tinnitus in patients. Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear that impacts fluid pressure and is the culprit behind rocker Huey Lewis’s debilitating tinnitus.
Effects of tinnitus
The impact of tinnitus on one’s quality of life runs the spectrum. Some people experience tinnitus symptoms and live unbothered. For others, they feel intense fatigue and stress from the unrelenting annoyance. It can bring about insomnia and sleep disorders, trouble focusing and even memory problems.
Treatment of tinnitus
Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of irritation surrounding your tinnitus symptoms, you should let your physician know that it’s made an appearance in your life. It might be a signal that a deeper hearing health issue is at play that can be resolved through medical intervention.
Most tinnitus cases are relieved by treating the underlying condition, such as illness or even hearing loss. People who choose treatment like hearing aids tend to report that their tinnitus symptoms are less distracting. There are also white noise programs in many hearing aid models specifically designed to help people deal with their tinnitus.
Other people with the condition, particularly severe cases, report finding peace from studying mindfulness techniques. This training, ranging from meditation to yoga, can help people with persistent tinnitus to learn to live in harmony with their condition.
How to protect yourself from tinnitus
One of the most proactive ways to protect yourself from tinnitus is to prioritize your hearing health today. When you are in loud environments, pay attention to how your ears feel and give yourself quiet breaks. If possible, use hearing protection like noise canceling headphones or earplugs to better preserve your hearing health.
Be mindful of the volumes on your devices and try to give yourself breaks from headphones and earbuds. Keep your settings at half of maximum volume and never exceed two-thirds of maximum volume. Today’s personal listening devices can do damage to your hearing in a matter of minutes when they are cranked all the way up!