What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound that is generated in the head. Many people know tinnitus as the ringing or buzzing sound we hear coming out of a loud concert or other very noisy environments. Tinnitus may also sound like crickets, high tension wires, jet engine noise, whooshing, humming, or even music. It can be heard as coming from one or both ears or from within the head. Most people will hear tinnitus if asked to listen in a very quiet environment.
Examples of what tinnitus might sound like are available on the American Tinnitus Association web site. Look for “sounds of tinnitus” on the American Tinnitus Association’s web page.
What causes tinnitus?
For most people, tinnitus is a phantom perception produced by background activity within the brain’s hearing pathways. Only the person with tinnitus can hear this kind of tinnitus (“subjective tinnitus”). Some people experience a “real” sound produced by blood flow, contraction of small muscles in the head or a ringing produced by tiny hair cells in the inner ear. A trained observer such as a medical specialist may be able to hear or measure this kind of tinnitus (“objective tinnitus”).
Tinnitus is often associated with noise exposure, hearing loss, ear disease or dysfunction, head/neck injury or insult, certain medications, even stress. Sometimes tinnitus is described as “idiopathic”, meaning that there is no identifiable cause for tinnitus.
Who has tinnitus?
Tinnitus is very common. Approximately 15% of the population reports having tinnitus at least once a week, although most people will hear tinnitus sounds when asked to listen for sound in an extremely quiet room. The majority of individuals with tinnitus also have some hearing loss even though they may not report any hearing difficulties. Tinnitus is reported by adults and children alike.
Tinnitus may disappear with time or become so insignificant that people rarely notice it. Or tinnitus may be audible but have little consequence. Studies suggest that most people manage tinnitus without seeking help for it while a minority find tinnitus is an annoying or distressing experience.
Can tinnitus be cured?
There is no pill or surgery known to eliminate tinnitus. As mentioned above, most people hear tinnitus when asked to listen in a very quiet space. This suggests that complete elimination of tinnitus may not be possible or even desired. Researchers around the world are, however, working to find medical and sound-based therapies to address intrusive tinnitus.
For some individuals with persistent tinnitus, treating the underlying condition that contributes to tinnitus may effectively eliminate tinnitus. A simple example of this is when the ear canal is completely blocked by ear wax (cerumen). Removal of the ear wax restores hearing and tinnitus typically subsides.
Many people can find ways to make tinnitus less noticeable or not noticeable at all. Addressing hearing loss through properly fit amplification may make tinnitus inaudible or partially suppress it. Some people find that tinnitus “disappears” while away on vacation; this is likely because stress is a significant contributor to their tinnitus.
It is important to remember that even if there is no magic pill to eliminate persistent tinnitus, there are many treatment options that will help you notice tinnitus less (or not at all), feel more relaxed and be less bothered by tinnitus. Many of our patients also report that tinnitus gets softer as tinnitus distress lessens.
What should I do if I have tinnitus?
It is recommended that you book in for a tinnitus consultation with one of our Registered Audiologists. This consultation will include a diagnostic hearing evaluation which can screen for underlying medical concerns associated with the auditory system and may be contributing factors of the tinnitus. This assessment will also screen for the possible need for referral to an Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist doctor). Should this referral be warranted, your audiologist will provide your family physician with a detailed interpretation of the findings and recommendations of further investigation from the ENT.
Should the ENT order an MRI, don’t forget to tell the MRI technician if you are sound sensitive to ensure that the hearing protection you are given is well fitted.
My doctor told me that I have to learn to live with my tinnitus, but how?
Hearing this message can be disheartening. Please know, many strategies can be employed to help mitigate the negative impact of tinnitus on your life. These will be discussed in your tinnitus consultation with your Audiologist.
