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Tinnitus

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. It's often described as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling sound in the ears or head. Tinnitus can vary from a mild nuisance to a constant, bothersome sound that can
interfere with daily life.

 

Although tinnitus is common, especially among people with hearing loss or those who have been exposed to loud noises, it can affect anyone at any age. The condition itself is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying issue and understanding it can help you manage the sounds you’re hearing.

What causes my tinnitus?

There is a great variety of causes and still there are many unanswered questions about it. Tinnitus is usually caused by damage or disruption to the auditory system, which includes the ears, auditory nerve, and brain. Some of the most common causes of tinnitus include:

  • Exposure to loud noise: Prolonged exposure to loud music, machinery, or construction sites can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to tinnitus.

  • Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis): As people age, they often experience a gradual decline in hearing, which can contribute to tinnitus.

  • Ear infections or earwax buildup: Blockages in the ear canal due to earwax or infections can cause tinnitus symptoms.

  • Ototoxic medications: Some medications, including certain antibiotics, some diuretics (water tablets) and chemotherapy drugs, can cause hearing problems and tinnitus.

  • Head or neck injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can affect the auditory nerve and lead to tinnitus.

  • Meniere's disease: This is an inner ear disorder that affects balance and hearing, and often includes tinnitus as a symptom.

  • High blood pressure: Conditions like hypertension can sometimes cause
    pulsatile tinnitus, where you hear a rhythmic sound like a heartbeat.

  • Jaw problems (TMJ): Issues with the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) can lead to tinnitus.

  • Stress and anxiety: Emotional stress can sometimes make tinnitus worse or more noticeable.

What are the symptoms of tinnitus

  • Tinnitus is a symptom itself rather than a diagnosis.

  • The main presentation of tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head when no external sound is present. The sound can vary from person to person and may be perceived as ringing, buzzing, whistling, hissing, clicking, pulsing (like a heartbeat)

  • The intensity and pitch of the sound can change over time, and for some people, it may be constant or come and go. It can be worse at night or in quiet environments where there’s less background noise to mask the sound.

  • Sometimes the tinnitus might be experienced along hearing loss, earache, vertigo or dizziness or feeling of pressure in the ears.

How is tinnitus Diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually involves:

  • Medical history: The doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and any potential causes of tinnitus (like noise exposure or medication use).

  • Physical examination: The doctor may check for ear infections, earwax buildup, or other physical issues that might be causing tinnitus

  • Hearing test (Pure Tone Audiogram): A hearing test helps determine if you have any hearing loss that could be contributing to your tinnitus. This is done by a certified audiologist.

  • Imaging: In some cases, imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan may be requested to rule out serious conditions like tumours or other conditions.

What are my treatment options for tinnitus?

Currently, there is no single cure for tinnitus, but there are various treatments that can help manage the symptoms and make the condition more manageable. The right treatment depends on the underlying cause of the tinnitus and how severe the
symptoms are.

​​

  • Sound Therapy: This can be delivered by White Noise Machines. These devices generate neutral sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to help mask the tinnitus sounds. Another option is being fitted with hearing aids. If you have hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify external sounds and help reduce the perception of tinnitus. Lastly, tinnitus maskers can help. These are devices that emit sounds to help mask the ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a form of counselling that helps you cope with the emotional and psychological effects of tinnitus. It can help you change your reaction to tinnitus, reduce anxiety, and improve your quality of life. This is offered by trained audiologists.

  • Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT is a form of sound therapy combined with counselling. The goal is to help you "retrain" your brain to ignore the tinnitus sounds. Over time, this can make the tinnitus less noticeable or bothersome. This is offered by trained audiologists.

  • Medications: While there’s no specific medication to cure tinnitus, some drugs can help manage related symptoms like anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleep aids are sometimes used to alleviate the stress caused by tinnitus.

  • Lifestyle Changes: These vary from managing stress, to avoid loud noises, to reducing caffeine and alcohol. Stress can make tinnitus worse, so practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help. Protect your ears by wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones when in loud environments. Some people find that reducing their intake of caffeine or alcohol helps reduce the intensity of tinnitus.

How can I cope with tinnitus?

​Living with tinnitus can be challenging, but there are several ways to cope and improve your quality of life:

  • Create a relaxing environment: Use background noise like a fan or a soft radio station to mask the sound of your tinnitus.

  • Stay busy: Engage in hobbies or activities that distract you from focusing on the tinnitus sound.

  • Sleep well: If tinnitus is worse at night, try using a white noise machine or earplugs to help you sleep.

 

Further links for information

Tinnitus - ENT UK

https://tinnitus.org.uk

If you have any further queries call 02087207499 or email contact@entgeorge.com

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