Tinnitus is the medical term used to describe a buzzing or ringing-like noise in the ears. If this sounds a little familiar it is probably because you have likely experienced temporary tinnitus after leaving a loud event (concert, party, busy restaurant, etc.). You may have had a harder time hearing and hearing a specific sound even though no noise was present in your external environment. This phantom-like noise is most commonly described as a ringing sound but can also resemble clicking or whistling sounds as well.
Tinnitus is not a condition itself but is an underlying symptom of a medical condition you are experiencing. It can range from moderate to severe, taking a toll on sleep and capacity to easily perform daily tasks. Recent research shows that more people experience tinnitus than you may think. A study conducted by researchers at the University of California Irvine (UCI) reveals that 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. experience tinnitus.
What causes tinnitus?
Identifying the cause of tinnitus can be challenging because numerous medical conditions produce it as a symptom. According to the American Tinnitus Association, nearly 200 medical conditions can cause tinnitus. But a few of the most common causes include the following:
- Hearing loss: the most common cause of tinnitus is hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic medical condition that people live with today. It can be caused by several factors including aging, exposure to loud noise, existing medical conditions, head injuries, and ototoxic medications. Impacting over 48 million people, hearing loss is a pervasive health issue that reduces the capacity to hear and process sound. This results in a wide range of symptoms that make communication challenging and adversely impact health. Tinnitus is one of the most common indicators of hearing loss.
Hearing loss most often occurs as a result of damaged hair cells in the inner ear. These sensory cells send sound information to the brain which is then able to further process and assign meaning to the sound we hear. Damaged hair cells impair or prevent this
essential function which produces symptoms like tinnitus. The Hearing Health Foundation estimates that 90% of all tinnitus cases occur with underlying hearing loss.
- Ototoxic medications: these types of medications contain ingredients that can be toxic for the ears by damaging cells, blood flow, nerves, etc. Ototoxic medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, specific types of antibiotics as well as allergy medication. It is important to consult with your doctor about the side effects of any medications that you are prescribed or are taking.
- Ear infections: ear infections are common, especially among kids. The accumulation of bacteria in the ears causes inflammation and excess fluid. This can contribute to issues with hearing as well as produce tinnitus.
Tinnitus can also be triggered by head injuries, growths and obstructions in the ears, autoimmune conditions, and inner ear disorders.
1 in 10 Adults Impacted by Tinnitus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 50 million people experience tinnitus and 20 million people live with chronic tinnitus. To better understand the scope of tinnitus and just how many people are impacted by this symptom, researchers at UCI conducted a study. This involved analyzing data on tinnitus for 75,764 people who were 18 years old and older. Researchers found that:
- 1 in 10 people experienced tinnitus in the past 12 months
- 36% of people lived with chronic tinnitus
- 27% experienced tinnitus for more than 15 years
- Only 49.4% of people had discussed their tinnitus with a physician
These findings illuminate how common tinnitus is as well as reveals the lack of action towards addressing it.
Tips to Effectively Manage Tinnitus
If you experience tinnitus, it is important to be assessed as soon as possible. There are effective ways to manage and alleviate tinnitus. This includes:
- Have hearing assessed. Schedule an appointment with a hearing healthcare specialist to have your hearing evaluated. This will identify any hearing loss which could be causing your tinnitus. Treating hearing loss can effectively alleviate tinnitus.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT). A type of sound therapy, TRT involves training the brain to process tinnitus as background noise rather than a disruptive sound.
- Ambient noise. Creating white noise or background noise can help mask tinnitus. You can do this by using sound machines or playing calming sounds in the background.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can manage tinnitus. We’re here to help and we look forward to helping you improve your hearing health.