Tinnitus, or colloquially speaking, ringing in the ears, is the sensation of hearing a sound in the form of a buzz, hum, ring or other type of noise.
The sound can be intermittent or continuous, and its intensity can vary. Tinnitus often gets worse during quiet moments or with low background noise, making it easier to notice at night, when going to bed, or during quiet moments of the day.
A rare, special case of tinnitus is when the sound is synchronised with your heartbeat — this type of tinnitus is known as pulsatile tinnitus.
According to studies¹, it affects 20 percent of the population, but we need to bear in mind that it isn’t a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of other conditions, such as age-related hearing loss, damage or injury to the auditory system, or a circulatory disorder.
Symptoms of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a sound without any external source. The types of sounds heard can vary widely:
- Buzzing
- Ringing
- Whistling
- Roaring
- Bells
- Sea-like noise
This noise can vary in intensity and can be heard in one or both ears. In some cases, if the sound is intense, it can interfere with hearing external sounds or with the patient’s ability to concentrate. It can also be temporary or present all the time.
There are two types of tinnitus depending on whether the sound can be heard by someone else:
- Subjective tinnitus is the kind that only the patient can hear, and it’s the most common form of tinnitus.
- Objective tinnitus is the kind that can be heard by another person.
Most Common Causes
For many people, tinnitus or ringing in the ears is caused by:
- Age-related hearing loss. In many cases, hearing loss can cause tinnitus.
- Loud noises. Exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes — for example, people who have worked in construction without using hearing protection, military personnel who have worked with artillery or had frequent contact with firearms, hunters, or people who have frequently visited very loud venues such as nightclubs. And something increasingly common these days: the use of headphones and music players.
- Earwax build-up.
- Problems with the structure of the ear.
Other causes of tinnitus include: otosclerosis, Ménière’s disease, disorders related to blood vessels such as atherosclerosis or high blood pressure, stress, certain types of medication, and problems or injuries to the neck, jaw or head.
Preventing Tinnitus
We can’t always prevent tinnitus from occurring, but we can follow these guidelines to help prevent certain types of tinnitus
- Use hearing protection, especially in noisy environments or when exposed to very loud noise. This is especially important for people who work in construction or in factories surrounded by noisy machinery. There are many types of hearing protection on the market, from insulating earplugs to custom-made moulds with active filters.
- Turn the volume down, especially when using headphones.
- Exercise regularly to improve and look after your cardiovascular health.
References:
¹ https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/hearing-loss-tinnitus-statistics
Frequently asked questions
Tinnitus is the perception of sounds such as buzzing or ringing in the ears without any external source producing them
Common causes include age-related hearing loss, prolonged exposure to loud noise, ear infections, earwax build-up, vascular disorders, inner ear conditions such as Ménière’s disease, and certain ototoxic medications.
The main symptoms are the perception of sounds such as buzzing, ringing, whistling or roaring in one or both ears. These sounds can vary in intensity and can interfere with concentration and sleep.
We can’t always avoid tinnitus, but we can reduce the risk by following a few guidelines: use hearing protection in noisy environments, turn the volume down when using headphones, exercise regularly to look after your cardiovascular health, and have regular hearing check-ups.
Yes, hearing aids can help treat tinnitus by improving hearing and providing personalised sound therapy. An audiologist can fit them to each patient to achieve the best outcome, providing relief and improving their quality of life.
