Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sounds without any external source. People often describe it as ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears. In some cases, the sound comes from inside the head rather than the ears. It can affect one or both ears, and it also varies in type, pitch, and intensity. For instance, the sound might be high-pitched or low-pitched, soft or loud, constant or intermittent.

How Common Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is quite common and can occur at any age, though it becomes more frequent as people get older. Both men and women experience tinnitus, which is more common in men. Hearing loss often accompanies tinnitus, although it isn’t always the case.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Several factors can lead to tinnitus, including:

• Exposure to loud noise: Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can damage the ears.

• Age-related hearing loss: Known as presbycusis, this condition often includes tinnitus.

• Earwax build-up: Excessive earwax can block the ear canal and cause tinnitus.

• Injury: Head injuries or whiplash can lead to tinnitus.

• Ear infections: Conditions like otitis media (middle ear infection) or labyrinthitis (inner ear infection) can trigger tinnitus.

• Certain medications: Drugs such as aspirin, quinine, some antibiotics (like gentamicin), chemotherapy agents, and diuretics may cause tinnitus as a side effect.

• Medical conditions: These include high blood pressure, anaemia, thyroid disorders, and diabetes.

• Meniere’s disease: An inner ear disorder that can cause low-pitched tinnitus.

• Tumours: Growths like acoustic neuroma near the ear may result in tinnitus.

• Lifestyle factors: High caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, and migraine can also contribute to tinnitus.

Types of Tinnitus

1. Subjective tinnitus: Only the person experiencing it can hear the sound. This is the most common type.
2. Objective tinnitus: A rare type where a doctor can also hear the sound during an examination, often due to physical causes like blood flow issues.

Diagnosing Tinnitus

When diagnosing tinnitus, a healthcare provider will:

• Take a detailed history: This includes when the tinnitus started, the type of sound, and how it impacts daily life.

• Conduct tests such as:

• • Audiometry: Measures hearing levels and assesses the association between hearing loss and tinnitus.
  • Tinnitus matching: Identifies the type and intensity of the tinnitus sound to understand its characteristics.
  • Impedance audiometry: Examines the function of the middle ear, including the Eustachian tube and ear structures.
  • Recommend imaging tests like MRI if necessary, especially if a tumour is suspected.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of tinnitus. Some common approaches include:

• Hearing aids: Amplifying external sounds can help mask tinnitus and improve hearing.
• Masking devices: These devices produce white noise to cover the tinnitus sound, making it less noticeable.
• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): A long-term therapy that combines white noise masking with counselling to help the brain ignore the tinnitus.
• Biofeedback: A relaxation technique to help control stress responses to tinnitus.
• Cognitive therapy: Focuses on altering the emotional response to tinnitus through counselling.
• Cochlear implants: For those with severe hearing loss, implants may improve hearing and reduce tinnitus.

Tips for Managing Tinnitus

• Add background noise: Play soft music or use a white noise machine to distract from tinnitus.
• Avoid silence: Quiet environments can make tinnitus seem louder, so keep some ambient noise around.
• Limit smoking and alcohol: Both can worsen tinnitus by affecting blood flow to the ears.
• Protect your ears: Use ear protection in noisy environments to prevent further damage.

Debunking Myths About Tinnitus

1. Myth: Tinnitus is incurable.

Fact: While not all cases can be cured, many treatments can significantly reduce symptoms.

2. Myth: Tinnitus will damage your hearing.

Fact: Tinnitus does not directly harm your hearing.

3. Myth: Hearing aids don’t help with tinnitus.

Fact: Hearing aids can often alleviate tinnitus by amplifying external sounds.

4. Myth: Tinnitus is a sign of brain disease.

Fact: Tinnitus is rarely linked to severe brain conditions.

5. Myth: Tinnitus is life-threatening.

Fact: Tinnitus is not dangerous but can affect the quality of life.

Conclusion

Tinnitus can be distressing, but it is possible to minimise its impact with proper evaluation and management. If you experience tinnitus, consult a healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and personalised treatment plan.