Want to learn more about tinnitus? You've come to the right place. We've put together a comprehensive resource on tinnitus, covering everything we could: types, causes, symptoms, treatments, and much more. Read on to discover everything you need to know about tinnitus!
Complete Guide to Tinnitus
Our guide gathers all the important information about tinnitus in one place. Click on the links below to go directly to a section, or continue reading to learn everything about the topic.
What is tinnitus?
Causes of Tinnitus
Types of Tinnitus
Symptoms of Tinnitus
Tinnitus Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus refers to a condition that causes a noise or ringing in the ears. Common among people with hearing loss, it causes a perceived ringing sound even when no external sound is present.
Tinnitus exists in varying degrees of severity. It can be a frustrating problem to manage, but it usually doesn't signal anything dangerous for your hearing. It's a very common side effect of hearing loss and hearing damage in general.
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can have many different origins. Generally, it is caused by the same factors as hearing loss. These include:
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
Aging is the most common cause of hearing loss, and age-related hearing loss commonly causes tinnitus symptoms.
Noise exposure
Tinnitus can be caused by both brief and prolonged exposure to loud noise, with prolonged exposure being more likely to have permanent effects. Harmful sounds can come from headphones, concerts, exposure to noisy equipment or machinery, firearms, and much more.
Genetics
Your genetic makeup can influence the anatomy of your ear. Some people with otosclerosis, an abnormal development of the middle ear, may experience tinnitus.
Earwax buildup (earwax blockage)
Earwax is beneficial, but only in appropriate amounts. Its role is to protect your ear from dirt and other contaminants; but when it builds up excessively, the ear canal can become irritated or damaged, causing tinnitus in some people.
Meniere's disease
Meniere's disease is a condition caused by fluid buildup in the ear canal, which can lead to vertigo, hearing loss, and other disorders.
Head or neck trauma
Acute head or neck trauma can damage the ear, ear canal, nerves, or other essential brain structures for hearing. These injuries can, in some cases, lead to hearing loss or tinnitus.
Types of Tinnitus
There are two main types of tinnitus: subjective tinnitus and objective tinnitus. Subjective tinnitus refers to the perception of sounds when no actual sound source is present, while objective tinnitus refers to a sound actually produced by the inner ear.
Subjective Tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus occurs when you perceive sounds that are not actually present. This is by far the most common type of tinnitus. It is usually caused by nerve damage or by abnormalities of the inner, middle, or outer ear.
Objective Tinnitus
Objective tinnitus refers to a sound actually produced in the ear. This type of tinnitus is quite rare. It can be caused by otological problems such as hearing loss, Meniere's disease, or otosclerosis. It can also be related to neurological conditions, infectious diseases, and other causes.
There are several other types of tinnitus, generally classified according to their cause or the particular nature of the perceived sound. Here are a few:
Neurological Tinnitus
Neurological tinnitus is caused by disorders related to the brain and its ability to communicate via the auditory pathways. Neurological causes include head trauma, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and others.
Somatic Tinnitus
Somatic tinnitus is a type of subjective tinnitus related to the body. Affected individuals may experience symptoms after physical pressures such as "clenching the jaw, moving the eyes, or applying pressure to the head and neck," according to the National Institute of Health.
Musical Tinnitus
Also known as musical ear syndrome. People who suffer from it perceive sounds that seem to form a looping melody or musical tune, and which vary greatly from person to person. This type of tinnitus is quite rare.
Pulsatile Tinnitus
Pulsatile tinnitus is a type of tinnitus that causes rhythmic pulsations, often synchronized with one's own heartbeat. It is caused by blood circulation: you perceive the sound of blood flowing through your ears.
Low-Frequency Tinnitus
Low-frequency tinnitus causes recurring sounds in the low frequencies, such as a deep hum or rumble.
Symptoms of Tinnitus
The symptoms of tinnitus generally boil down to noises you hear in your ears that aren't actually there. The noise can be permanent or variable, depending on the severity. Symptoms can be perceived as:
Ringing
Beating or pulsating (heartbeat sound)
Clicking
Buzzing
For most people, tinnitus symptoms are bearable and can be temporary. Some people with permanent and severe tinnitus are affected daily and may need more advanced treatment options. It is important to evaluate your symptoms and get treated to prevent worsening and improve your daily quality of life.
Tinnitus Treatments
Tinnitus treatments range from wearing hearing aids to surgery, depending on the severity. Depending on the cause of tinnitus, it is sometimes possible to act directly on the problem. For others, it's necessary to rely on coping and attenuation strategies that make tinnitus more bearable. Here are some treatments:
Removing earwax buildup
Sometimes, significant earwax buildup can damage your ear canal and create blockages that lead to hearing loss or tinnitus. It is helpful to try cleaning your ear canal to see if your tinnitus improves.
Tinnitus medication
Some medications can help treat tinnitus, although they are generally reserved for the most severe cases. These medications used for severe cases are tricyclic antidepressants, but they can have difficult side effects. Another medication option is Xanax, commonly used to relieve anxiety symptoms; but Xanax also has its share of side effects and is generally not indicated for regular use. Consult a doctor before trying any tinnitus medication.
Surgery
Depending on the person and the cause of tinnitus, surgery can be a viable option for treatment.
White noise machines
There are white noise machines, both tabletop and portable, that can produce a constant background noise to mask the ringing of tinnitus. Tabletop white noise machines can be used in the bedroom to help you sleep at night, similar to the sound of an air conditioner, fan, or any other continuous sound in your environment.
Hearing aids
Hearing aids can be a treatment for tinnitus. People with severe tinnitus will likely need a more advanced device with digital feedback reduction. For mild to moderate cases, our customers report an improvement in their symptoms just by using our rechargeable analog hearing aids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a noise or ringing in the ear related to hearing loss. It generally corresponds to the perception of a ringing sound that does not actually exist.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be caused by age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noises, genetics, and certain medical conditions.
Should I see a doctor if I think I have tinnitus?
Yes. If you think you suffer from tinnitus, it's a good idea to get examined to better assess its severity and potentially identify underlying causes. Just keep in mind that solutions prescribed by a doctor can be expensive; if your budget is limited, ask your doctor for a diagnosis, then find an affordable solution based on what you learn.
What treatment options are available?
Tinnitus treatments include removing accumulated earwax, medication, surgery, white noise machines, and hearing aids.
Conclusion
Tinnitus is a complex topic that takes many different forms, but whatever the type and degree of your hearing loss, you should probably get a hearing test. By determining the type of hearing loss you have, you can find the product best suited to your needs. For many people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss, we believe our rechargeable hearing aids are an excellent option to try without breaking the bank. Do your research, and if you want to trust us, you're just a few clicks away from a new pair of hearing aids and relief from your tinnitus!
Susan Wright
Editor-in-Chief, CLARIA
