Aging and tinnitus are intrinsically linked. The reason for this correlation is quite simple: tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss, which is most often caused by aging. Since aging is the primary cause of hearing loss, and hearing loss is the primary cause of tinnitus, it is therefore aging that has the greatest influence on tinnitus.
Why does aging cause tinnitus?
Aging is the most common cause of hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, becomes more likely as one gets older. This is mainly because, over time, exposure to loud noises damages the hair cells (the tiny hairs that allow you to perceive sounds) in your ear.
Damaged hair cells cannot be repaired or replaced by current medicine, which means that hearing damage is most often permanent.
Hearing loss is the most common cause of tinnitus. Today, about 1 in 10 Americans report experiencing tinnitus to some degree. Among people with hearing loss, this proportion is much higher. According to Dr. Gayla Poling, director of adult and pediatric audiological diagnostics at the Mayo Clinic, up to 90% of people with tinnitus also report hearing loss.
The data clearly show that tinnitus is extremely common in people with hearing loss, which directly results from aging.
Does tinnitus worsen with age?
Source: National Institute of Health. Tinnitus in the elderly population.
According to the data, tinnitus appears most frequent between 40 and 60 years old (age range not represented here). In the chart above, you can see that tinnitus actually declines after age 64, with a sharp drop in frequency after age 80.
Another study published by the National Institute of Health found that, for moderately high-pitched tinnitus, people aged 40 to 60 had the highest prevalence of symptoms, followed by those over 60, with those under 40 being the least affected.
What should I do if I think I have tinnitus?
If you think you or a loved one may have tinnitus, we recommend consulting an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, who can help you with diagnosis and treatment for tinnitus. This will help you understand what type of tinnitus it is, what is causing it, and what are the best possible treatment options. The doctor can also arrange for a full hearing assessment with an audiologist.
Tinnitus can significantly impact lifestyle and mental health: it is therefore important to know that you are not alone and that treatment solutions exist.
To learn more, read our article "Tinnitus Treatments."
In summary
Aging and tinnitus are intrinsically linked, as are hearing loss and tinnitus. People aged 40 to 60 are most likely to experience tinnitus symptoms, followed by those aged 60 and over.
If you believe you are experiencing age-related hearing loss or tinnitus, consult an ENT specialist for an accurate diagnosis.
