What it is - How to manage it
All About Tinnitus
Some History
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is defined super generally as you hearing a sound that’s not in the environment around you, and can present as almost any sound quality: a ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping etc.
We don’t know what tinnitus is exactly from a pathophysiology perspective, which is why there’s no cure or a pill that makes it go away.
A major theory about tinnitus is that it’s more in the auditory pathway or brain than our ears themselves, and maybe our brain trying to compensate for hearing loss or damage to the auditory system (this also relates to how some people hear can’t localize tinnitus to one ear).
Tinnitus is extremely common, it’s estimated that around 50 million Americans have tinnitus, more than 740 million adults worldwide.
What could have caused my tinnitus?
Hearing loss
Noise exposure
Ear wax
Middle ear / vestibular conditions
Medications
high dose aspirin
salicylate analgesics
certain antibiotics
loop diuretics
chemotherapy
Head / neck problems
injuries
TMJ
What makes tinnitus worse?
high stress
lack of sleep
high salt / caffeine diet
silence
What can I do about tinnitus?
Always have other sounds in the environment
Try hearing aids
Reducing other symptoms related to tinnitus
i.e. address your TMJ, neck pain, lack of sleep, medications, diet
Resources
Tinnitus Support
If you or someone you love is experiencing tinnitus - you’re not alone. Our best advice is to not give the ringing too much attention, to let it be a part of your ‘sound world’ and fade into the background. Below are some resources to help you manage your symptoms.
Your ears are connected to the same head, and have lived the same life. If you are experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or any other symptom in one ear more than the other we recommend you reach out to an Audiologist immediately and would be happy to help you find someone in your area.