What Your Audiologist Wishes You Knew About Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition that affects over 300 million people in the world, and over 10 percent of the population has it to some degree. The symptoms of tinnitus can vary from person to person, but it can be quite debilitating for many. Often you would have no idea that somebody has tinnitus unless they told you themselves. This can make it quite tricky for audiologists to diagnose it, as patients can have a difficult time describing it.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is often described as a phantom noise that the brain interprets as sound. This usually occurs when you are in a completely silent room with no noise at all. Most commonly patients have described tinnitus as a buzzing, high-pitched ringing or chirping noise, but it can be any type of sound at all.

More about tinnitus noises

If you are experiencing tinnitus, you will know that it can occur in one ear or both. The noises you can experience are varying, and it is entirely normal for sounds to change over time. Some of the most common noises you might hear if you have tinnitus are whistling, hissing, buzzing, ringing, clicking and puffing. Everybody is different, so your experience with tinnitus will be completely unique compared to another person.

The causes of tinnitus

Many audiologists believe that tinnitus can occur when you are exposed to loud noises for an extended period of time. However, many causes can’t always be prevented. Many people can develop tinnitus for no apparent reason, and it can affect people of all ages, cultures, backgrounds and genders.

Some of the most common causes of tinnitus include loud noises and the aging process, but many other elements can trigger tinnitus, including: neck injuries, head trauma, built-up earwax, new medication, high blood pressure, smoking, stress and Meniere’s disease. It is often unclear what the causes are because every case is so unique.

Tinnitus fact or fiction?

Here are a few fictional statements you might have heard about tinnitus before:

• Fiction: Tinnitus only affects people who have been exposed to loud music
• Fact: Loud music can cause tinnitus, but there are also many other causes that shouldn’t be disregarded.
• Fiction: There is no cure for tinnitus
• Fact: Although you cannot cure tinnitus per se, there are many ways to manage it through hearing aids, sound machines and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT).
• Fiction: When you’re young you can’t get tinnitus
• Fact: Anybody can get tinnitus, although it is more common in people over the age of 40. According to a recent study, one in five teenagers suffers from tinnitus.

Do you have tinnitus?

If you have any concerns or questions about tinnitus, then you should speak to your audiologist as soon as possible. They are specially trained to help people suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus so they will be able to provide specialist care from the moment you have your first consultation.