Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound with no external source, most often ringing in the ears, but also hissing, buzzing, humming, clicking, chirping, or a low roar. It can affect one ear or both, and it can be constant or come and go. Constant ringing in the ears, tinnitus you notice every waking hour rather than in occasional flashes, is the version most likely to affect sleep and concentration, and it’s the version most worth getting evaluated.
According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss – The National Library of Medicine. For some, tinnitus is mild and an intermittent annoyance. For others, it’s severe and can have a profound effect on their quality of life. For everyone, finding tinnitus relief is a high priority.
Tinnitus can be especially prevalent in Arkansas. NIOSH tracks tinnitus by industry, and among workers ever exposed to occupational noise, 15% reported tinnitus, 23% reported hearing difficulty, and 9% reported both. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting workers showed significantly increased risk of hearing difficulty, tinnitus, and the two occurring together. NIOSH estimates 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. The Veteran’s Benefits Administration reports tinnitus is also the leading service-related disability among US veterans.Â
What causes tinnitus?
Several sources are known to trigger or make tinnitus worse, including:
- Loud noises and hearing loss – Exposure to loud noises is the biggest cause of tinnitus. It can destroy the non-regenerative cilia (tiny hairs) in the cochlea, causing permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
- Earwax buildup – Impacted wax pressing against the eardrum is one of the most common causes of tinnitus and one of the most correctable.
- Aging – As you age, those same cilia gradually deteriorate, which can lead to tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
- Ototoxic medications – Some prescription medications such asaminoglycoside antibiotics, platinum-based chemo, loop diuretics, quinine, and high-dose aspirin/NSAIDs are harmful to the inner ear as well as the nerve fibers connecting the cochlea to the brain.
- Hearing conditions – Conditions such as otosclerosis and Ménière’s disease are known to cause tinnitus.
- Health conditions – Tinnitus can also be a symptom of health conditions like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure/hypertension, stress, and head injuries.
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
Currently there is no known cure for tinnitus. There are, however, many tinnitus treatment strategies designed to help sufferers find relief. Many patients have found that hearing aids for tinnitus can dramatically improve their quality of life.
One of the most effective forms of treatment, according to the American Tinnitus Association, is sound therapy, which uses sound to make tinnitus less noticeable and take the person’s mind off it. Amplification from hearing aids is one component of sound therapy that has been shown to provide relief.Â