Often referred to as the sensation of ringing in the ears, tinnitus can also be described as
buzzing in the ear, a whooshing, cicadas, the sound of ocean waves, etc. Tinnitus comes
from the Latin root word “tinnire” which means to ring, or tinkle (Harper D, 2024). A recent
study by Jarach, Lugo, and Scala et al (2022), estimated greater than 740 million people
around the world experience tinnitus, and over 120 million people experience severe tinnitus.
There are two types of tinnitus: Subjective tinnitus which is the most common type of
tinnitus, where just the person experiencing tinnitus hears it and objective tinnitus which is
audible to others. Tinnitus can also be intermittent or continuous in nature, wherein,
individuals may report that the tinnitus is heard all the time throughout the day or tinnitus is
heard on and off. For some the ringing may be in just one ear and for some it may be in both
the ears.
Causes of Tinnitus
There have been numerous studies over the years, that have tried to
investigate the exact cause/s of tinnitus. Some common causes of tinnitus include hearing
loss, damage of the cochlear nerve (Auditory nerve), certain medications such as cancer
drugs, antidepressants, etc, ear infections, head or neck injuries, reduced emotional health,
Meniere’s disease, Acoustic trauma, acoustic neuroma and so on. Some research even
suggests VitB12 deficiency may lead to tinnitus.
Throughout my clinical experience in adult hearing rehabilitation, many individuals
experiencing tinnitus with or without hearing loss, have reported their tinnitus to be non-
bothersome and something that they have become accustomed to over some time. Thus, for
many, tinnitus may be a temporary annoyance, however, for others, it may be a permanent
and draining condition. Individuals with severe tinnitus may experience fatigue, stress,
sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability, concentration issues, etc.
People at risk of developing tinnitus include individuals exposed to loud noise which could be
occupational or recreational, listening to music at loud volumes, history of cardiovascular
issues, high blood pressure, aging, and excessive intake of alcohol, caffeine, and/or nicotine.
Prevention is Better than Cure
One of the most agreed-upon preventative measures
includes reducing the amount of noise exposure. This could be easily achieved by using
earmuffs, earplugs, or a combination of both, in workplaces where the noise levels are
known to be over 85dB. The use of hearing protection is not just restricted to people working
in heavy industries but can also apply to musicians who perform live gigs, while mowing your
lawn at home, and recreational sports such as shooting. It is advisable to listen to music
using your personal listening devices at comfortable levels.
Other methods of prevention would be reducing intake of caffeine, alcohol and/or nicotine,
regular exercise to maintain good cardiovascular health, keeping your emotional health in
check.
Assessment of tinnitus usually includes Audiological and Medical Evaluation. Audiological
testing may include, Pure tone Audiometry and Speech Audiometry, which measures the
hearing sensitivity. Further to that, an audiologist may also perform pitch and loudness
matching tests to get an understanding on what the patient is experiencing. Severity of
tinnitus is also assessed through questionnaires such as Tinnitus functional index developed
by Oregon health & Science University (2008, 2012), Tinnitus handicap inventory developed
by Newman et al 1996, etc. From a medical perspective, your GP may ask for CT, MRI,
blood tests to rule out any medical conditions.
Tinnitus Treatment Generally Depends on The Underlying Cause
- Tinnitus in association with hearing loss: Is generally managed using hearing aids.
Hearing aids provide programs that could be specifically designed to manage tinnitus
by providing an external sound via the hearing aid at a level just below the level of
the tinnitus. Some individuals may not even need this program, as they report
reduced sensation of tinnitus when they use hearing aids. - Tinnitus retraining therapy: TRT is a treatment which includes combination of sound
therapy and counselling. The aim of this treatment is to gradually help the listener
habituate to their tinnitus. - Cognitive-Behaviour therapy: carried out by a psychologist, this method generally
involves providing counselling and coping strategies to manage the symptoms of
tinnitus. - Tinnitus due to medications: Changing medications may alleviate the tinnitus
symptoms. - Treating cardiovascular conditions through medication or other forms of treatment
may also help manage the tinnitus symptoms.
Tinnitus is dealt differently by different individuals. While most of them eventually report
habituation to the ringing in the ears, it is always good to understand the underlying
cause. To get help with tinnitus contact a hearing care specialist/Tinnitus
specialist/audiologist near to you.
Reference
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2795168
Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of tinnitus. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved May 27,
2024, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/tinnitus
