Tinnitus
This condition causes the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ears. For some people, these noises are temporary and harmless, but in other cases, they may indicate an underlying issue such as an ear infection, trauma, or a tumor.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is typically a subjective experience that can be present intermittently or continuously in one or both ears. Its pitch can go from a low roar to a high squeal or whine. Nearly 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus or “head noises.”
Causes
Tinnitus is most commonly due to damage of the microscopic hair cells that are part of the cochlea in the inner ear. The health of these hair cells is important for acute hearing, and injury to them brings on hearing loss which can then be accompanied by tinnitus.
Consistent and/or severe exposure to loud noise can cause damage to inner ear hair cells.
Other medical causes to tinnitus could be:
– High or low blood pressure
– Tumor
– Diabetes
– Thyroid problems
– Injury to the head or neck
– Jaw or dental issues
– Certain medications.
Some less common causes of tinnitus can be wax in the ear, allergies, or stress.
Treatments
– Amplification (hearing aids)
– Cognitive therapy
– Sound therapy
– Neuromodulation therapy (Lenire device)
– TMJ treatment
– Mindful meditation
Tips to lessen the severity
– Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises
– Get your blood pressure checked
– Decrease your intake of salt
– Avoids stimulants such as coffee, tea, soda, and tobacco
– Exercise daily to improve circulation
– Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue and stress
– Stay hydrated
What can help me cope?
Tinnitus is usually more bothersome in quiet surroundings. Masking tinnitus with competing background sound at a constant low level can make tinnitus less noticeable – whether this be using white noise, specific noise bands, or general low-level noise like the television or radio.
When a hearing loss is present, tinnitus may be found to be minimized by treating the hearing loss through use of hearing aids.
Resources
Apps
These apps offer layered soundscapes and guided relaxation exercises that create a completely personalized tinnitus solution. They can be streamed directly through hearing aids or used with standard headphones.
– ReSound Relief App
– Widex Zen App
– Better Sleep App
Books to Read
– The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk
– Breath by James Westor
– Why We Sleep – Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
– Of Sound Mind by Dr. Nina Krauss
Websites to Explore
American Tinnitus Association (ATA)
ATA provides information about tinnitus including information on local self-help groups. Visit the site for information regarding the ATA’s current support groups or email tinnitus@ata.org.
If you are experiencing a tinnitus crisis, you can call the American Tinnitus Association helpline at (800) 634-8978. If your tinnitus is causing severe distress or you are considering harming yourself, call 911 immediately.
