Hearing issues are common. In fact, according to the NIDCD, 15% of all adults in the U.S. report having trouble hearing. Yet, one of the most common hearing problems is tinnitus.
But exactly what is tinnitus?
This article will delve into tinnitus and give you a plain-English overview of what it is, why it occurs, and what it means for your overall health.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition in which you regularly hear ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. This is the medical term used to describe a ringing or buzzing noise that occurs in ears.
This condition is commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears” by the general public.
That said, you may hear more than just a ringing in your ears. Tinnitus can cause you to hear other sounds as well, including the following:
- buzzing
- whistling
- hissing
- roaring
- clicking
The noise is usually subjective, meaning it can only be heard by the person with tinnitus and no one else. The most common type of ringing is a constant, high-pitched ringing sound.
What Does Tinnitus Mean for Your Health?
These noises can be a nuisance, but it is not usually indicative of a more serious underlying condition.
Even though you can hear sounds in your ears, there is no external sound source. Having tinnitus means that we are conscious of hearing a sound that does not originate from any source other than ourselves.
Tinnitus can be a source of frustration. The sounds you hear may interfere with your ability to hear other sounds around you. But how does one get this condition?
What Causes Tinnitus?
A common cause of tinnitus is damage and loss of the tiny sensory hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear, which is located in the middle ear.
Another way you can get tinnitus is if damage is inflicted upon the middle ear.
Your middle ear picks up sound waves, and the conduction of these waves causes your inner ear to transmit electrical impulses to your brain.
You can only hear these signals once your brain has accepted them and translated them into sounds.
Damage to your inner ear can occur, altering the way your brain perceives and processes sound. Damage to your eardrums or the tiny bones in your middle ear can also prevent sound from properly transferring through your ear canal.
Other Examples: Causes of Tinnitus
Several drugs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, certain antibiotics, and diuretics, have the potential to be “ototoxic.” This means they cause damage to the inner ear, which results in the progression of tinnitus.
Some people develop tinnitus due to regular exposure to extremely loud sounds.
Individuals who use jackhammers, chainsaws, and other heavy equipment are more likely than the general public to suffer from tinnitus.
People who regularly listen to loud music are more likely to be affected by tinnitus than those who do not.
Who Gets Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is estimated to affect over 25 million people in the United States. It is most common in people over 50, but it can occur in children and adolescents as young as 10.
This is a condition that can occur as a result of depression, anxiety, or stress. Some people experience insomnia, difficulty concentrating, poor work or school performance, irritability, anxiety, and depression due to this condition.
When people get older, they are more prone to this, but it can also occur due to prolonged exposure to excessively loud noise. Tinnitus and hearing loss are two conditions that can occur together.
So there you have it, tinnitus is the sensation of hearing ringing or other sounds in your ears that are usually only you can hear. To learn more about treatment for this condition, read our article, How to Get Rid of Tinnitus.