All About Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a noise heard by a person in their ears or head that is not caused by an external source. It can be constant or intermittent, loud or soft, a ringing, buzzing, humming, or a range of other sounds. Approximately one in three Australians experience tinnitus. While for most people, tinnitus does not bother them significantly, it causes distress in approximately 2% of people. February 3-9 is Tinnitus Awareness Week, so let’s learn more about tinnitus.
This year’s Tinnitus Awareness Week theme is “T is for Tinnitus: Unseen, Unheard, Ignored.” Tinnitus is not something you can tell a person is experiencing just by looking at them, yet it can significantly affect their life. Tinnitus can affect a person’s sleep, concentration and mental health. Tinnitus Awareness Week aims to bring tinnitus and its effects on people into the spotlight and raise money for tinnitus research.
Tinnitus is not a disease but rather a symptom of something else. Tinnitus can be caused by hearing damage, noise exposure, ear issues such as an infection or wax build-up, jaw or neck issues, or problems with a person’s circulatory system. The most common cause is damage to the ear. This damage can cause hearing loss.
However, tinnitus can occur with changes in the ear even before a person’s hearing is damaged enough to cause hearing loss identifiable through a hearing test. While tinnitus is more common in people with hearing loss, it can occur even if their hearing is still in the normal range.
When the small structures in the ear that help us hear are damaged, the nerves in the hearing pathway in the brain turn themselves up to receive extra sound, generating tinnitus. While tinnitus may be caused by damage to the ear, it is produced in the brain to compensate for the damage.
For some people, even though they can hear their tinnitus, it does not bother them. For others, the brain latches onto the sound and triggers an emotional response. Because tinnitus causes an emotional response, it draws more attention from the brain, magnifying the reaction to the sound and causing a negative loop of attention and response. However, a lot can be done to help people with tinnitus, break this cycle, and reduce the effects on a person’s life.
The first step to addressing your tinnitus is to have your hearing and tinnitus evaluated by your local independent hearing care professional. They can help determine if something like wax in your ear or an ear infection might be causing your tinnitus. These causes can often be quickly addressed. They can also recommend referral pathways if your tinnitus may be caused by your jaw, neck, cardiovascular system, or another medical issue associated with your ear. They may recommend seeing another professional to help manage your tinnitus, such as a dentist, chiropractor, Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, or GP.
If your tinnitus is being caused by hearing loss, your hearing care professional may recommend hearing aids. Providing the stimulation to your ears that you are missing due to hearing loss can help with tinnitus. They may also discuss a range of strategies you can use to manage your tinnitus. If you are still significantly troubled by your tinnitus, they may recommend seeing a specialist hearing care professional for further support or even a psychologist who practices cognitive behavioural therapy.
If you’re keen to get involved with Tinnitus Awareness Week, have a look at what’s happening on the Tinnitus Awareness website.
The critical thing to know about tinnitus is that a lot can be done to reduce the effects tinnitus has on a person’s life. If you are struggling with tinnitus, we recommend you contact your local independent hearing care professional and book an appointment at your local independent hearing clinic. You can find your local clinic through the Find My Hearing Clinic – Clinic Locator