What is Tinnitus?

Eartech Audiology asks….Do you hear a ringing, roaring, clicking or hissing sound in your ears? Do you hear this sound often or all the time? Does the sound bother you? If your answer is yes, you might have Tinnitus.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound for which there is no external source.  It can sound like ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing, or tonal sound.

Recent research indicates that as many as 50 million people in the U.S. have tinnitus. 16 million Americans have reported frequent tinnitus, occurring at least once per day (Shargorodsky, Curhan & Farwell, 2010). Many of those who experience tinnitus do not report any associated adverse effects; however, individuals with clinically significant tinnitus complain of its negative impact on many aspects of their lives, which may require some form of clinical intervention (Hanley & Davis, 2008; Henry, Zaugg,Myers & Schechter, 2008). Tyler and Baker (1983) reported that tinnitus patients identify tinnitus as the source of problems related to hearing, lifestyle, general health and emotional states. Specifically, participants reported that their tinnitus resulted in problems understanding speech and sleeping, in social situations or relationships, and with headaches, depression and concentration.

Other authors have reported similar effects, leaving no doubt that tinnitus can be a considerable problem for many individuals (Hallam, 1987; Jakes, Hallam, Chambers & Hinchcliffe, 1985). Although some authors have suggested that the loudness or pitch of a patient’s tinnitus is not correlated to the perceived severity of the tinnitus (Meikle, Vernon & Johnson, 1984), other authors suggest that patients with louder tinnitus may be under more stress (Stouffer & Tyler, 1990).

The perception of tinnitus is thought to be related to changes in the patterns of activity in the central auditory system, which is perceived as sound (Kaltenbach, 2011; Tyler, 2006). Although there is an association between hearing loss and tinnitus, not all individuals with tinnitus have hearing loss (or vice-versa). However, many of the factors that contribute to hearing loss may also contribute to tinnitus. For example, exposure to loud sounds, head trauma, exposure to certain medications or other diseases of the auditory system may cause tinnitus (Crummer & Hassan, 2004). It should be noted that such medically manageable conditions as impacted cerumen, otitis media, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and some cardiovascular conditions are also associated with tinnitus (Lockwood, Salvi & Burkard, 2002).

People with severe tinnitus may have trouble hearing, working or even sleeping. Causes of tinnitus include hearing loss, exposure to loud noises or medicines you may be taking for a different problem. Tinnitus may also be a symptom of other health problems, such as allergies, high or low blood pressure, tumors and problems in the heart, blood vessels, jaw and neck.

Treatment depends on the cause. Treatments may include hearing aids, sound-masking devices, medicines and ways to learn how to cope with the noise.  If you have questions or would like to set an appt. call Eartech Audiology at (866) 464-1008