A Guide to Understanding Tinnitus

According to the American Tinnitus Organization, tinnitus is a condition that affects an estimated 50 million Americans – or up to 15% of the adult population. In most cases, it is nothing more than a slight annoyance and won't interfere with your daily life.

However, it can become a disrupting condition that might interfere with your sleep quality, work-life and personal relationships in some more severe cases. When experiencing tinnitus, it is recommendable to speak to an audiologist who can help you understand any underlying conditions and available treatments. 

Tinnitus: an overview

Tinnitus causes ringing, buzzing and other phantom noises in the ear. Some of the common sensations you might experience include:

• Hissing
• Buzzing
• Whistling
• Ringing
• Chirping

Every person with tinnitus might experience this condition differently. For some, it comes as low, continuous noise, while for others can be an intermittent sound. The phantom noises caused by tinnitus tend to become more accentuated and noticeable in quieter environments, which often causes it to interfere with your sleep.

Causes

Rather than being a medical condition, tinnitus is often a symptom of another underlying medical or lifestyle issue. 

Generally, tinnitus is linked to hearing loss. However, tinnitus does not cause hearing loss, rather, it can be a symptom of it. Indeed, it is not unlikely for people with tinnitus to have perfect hearing and for people with hearing loss not to experience tinnitus. 

When looking at the causes of this condition, it is important to look into lifestyle, environmental, and medical factors:

• Environmental factors: Include a loud workplace which can increase the chances of noise-induced hearing loss. Pilots, musicians, landscapers and carpenters are among those at risk. 
• Lifestyle factors: Include smoking, drinking alcohol, reduced exercise and a diet high in salt and sodium. Since tinnitus is worsened by impaired blood vessels, any lifestyle factors that affect your cardiovascular system might have an effect.
• Medical conditions: That might worsen tinnitus include blockages in the ear and age-related factors such as the cochlea's deterioration. Certain drugs, otosclerosis, anemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes, allergies and neck and jaw injuries can also be tinnitus triggers.

Treatments

When looking for a treatment for tinnitus, it is always recommendable to speak to an expert audiologist who can identify the underlying condition. From hearing loss to a combination of certain medications, tinnitus might have several causes that need to be addressed in the right way. Depending on which one is triggering your tinnitus, your audiologist might recommend:

• A hearing aid with tinnitus masking features
• Sound machines and therapies
• Tinnitus retraining
• The use of hearing protection devices in a loud environment
• Lifestyle modifications, including reducing the intake of tobacco, alcohol and sodium in favor of a healthy diet and regular exercise 

Audiologists can also eliminate the possibility that ear blockages and earwax accumulation cause tinnitus. Treating tinnitus often involves various factors, so it is not unlikely for your audiologist to work alongside your doctor to recommend the most suitable lifestyle and medications for your needs.