The term tinnitus (pronounced “TIN-ih-tus”) refers to ringing, buzzing, or wind-like noise that is perceived in the ears or head and is apart from an outside sound source. This is a very common perception to varying degrees and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 50 million Americans have some degree of tinnitus perception. Why do we have tinnitus? Is there anything that can be done to cure tinnitus? In this short article, I would like to address these questions as they come up frequently at our clinic.
The cause of tinnitus is an oft debated topic and in many cases can be multi-factorial. However, the first and main cause of tinnitus is hearing loss. Even a mild degree of hearing loss can trigger the brain to not receive the full message and in turn relay a tinnitus response. The inner ear is comprised of very delicate structures known as hair cells. Hair cells affects the neural relay of sound to the brain and when damaged act like a frayed wire to the brain versus a clean conduit of information. Although research is still ongoing into tinnitus causation, hearing loss is a leading culprit.
Other common factors which can affect tinnitus perception include stress, blood pressure, and diet. High blood pressure in particular can exacerbate mild tinnitus into a more noticeable perception. There are also less common, but medically urgent causes of tinnitus which usually present as strong unilateral tinnitus or pulsatile type tinnitus. In either case, a comprehensive hearing and health assessment is strongly recommended to further rule out serious health concerns.
I am often asked if there is a cure for tinnitus. In some cases it can be very bothersome to the point of affecting sleep or concentration. The unfortunate but most accurate answer is no for most cases. There are no commonly accepted cures for tinnitus as we still do not fully understand the complete mechanisms for tinnitus and the cause can vary between individuals. However, the American Academy of Audiology does recommend several interventions which do have evidence-based support for managing tinnitus. These include cognitive-behavior therapy, hearing aids when appropriate, as well as tinnitus masking devices which often are adjunctive to hearing aid capabilities. It should also be noted that the American Academy of Audiology does not support the use over-the-counter remedies that frequently make extraordinary claims while lacking strong or any evidence-based support.
Research is ongoing and there are still factors unknown about tinnitus causation. As such, at Audiology Associates we continue to monitor the latest research developments and always keep our patients informed and engaged with the latest advancements. If you or a loved one experience tinnitus perception, the first step is to schedule a hearing examination to determine possible causes as well as potential management solutions.