Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – Have you ever noticed a ringing, buzzing, humming, static, or chirping sound in your ears? Many people initially believe the noise is coming from somewhere in their home and search for the source before realizing it is actually in their own ears.
This condition is known as tinnitus. It affects millions of people and can range from barely noticeable or only mildly annoying to extremely intrusive and aggravating.
Many people describe their tinnitus as:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Roaring
- Hissing, static, or wind
- Crickets or cicadas
- Pulsing sounds
Tinnitus is typically more noticeable in quiet situations, such as when reading or lying in bed at night, when environmental sounds are minimized.
Most people with tinnitus are able to carry on with daily tasks while their tinnitus remains in the background of their attention, much like the ache of a joint or a squiggly floater in the eye.
For others, tinnitus is ever-present and ever-annoying, making conversations, concentrating on tasks, watching television, reading, and other daily activities difficult to complete. This can create stress, fear, fatigue, and irritability, so it is no surprise that individuals with tinnitus are more likely to experience mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.(1)
Tinnitus itself is not a disease, but rather a symptom that occurs when structures within the hearing system have been damaged. Stress, fatigue, illness, ear infections, certain medications, sinus pressure, jaw tension, and earwax buildup can sometimes cause tinnitus or make symptoms more noticeable. Like most hearing changes, tinnitus often develops gradually.
One major cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise. Loud noise exposure may occur through occupational activities such as factory work, agriculture, military service, or law enforcement, as well as recreational activities like attending concerts, using power tools, or visiting a firing range.
The hearing changes that result may be temporary, for example, leaving a concert with muffled hearing and ringing ears that resolve the next day, or permanent. Permanent hearing damage often develops after repeated temporary exposures, but in some cases, a single extremely loud event can cause lasting damage.
When we are exposed to loud sounds, the delicate structures of the inner ear can be damaged. With continued exposure, that damage and the tinnitus associated with it can worsen and become more disruptive to daily life.
If you are experiencing persistent ringing or hearing changes, a hearing evaluation is an important first step. Understanding the cause of your symptoms can help determine the best treatment options and relief.
Hearing devices can often help manage tinnitus symptoms. When hearing loss is present, properly fit hearing aids typically reduce the perception of ringing by improving access to surrounding sounds. Many patients report that their tinnitus becomes less noticeable when wearing prescription-fit hearing aids. Some hearing devices also include specialized tinnitus management features.
Unfortunately, many people wait years before discussing tinnitus with a hearing professional because they assume “nothing can be done.” While there is currently no medication or surgery that can completely eliminate tinnitus, many effective strategies can help reduce its perception and improve quality of life.
If ringing, buzzing, or hearing changes are affecting your daily life, don’t ignore the symptoms. A hearing evaluation is an important first step toward understanding what you are experiencing and learning about available treatment options. Help and relief are possible, and you do not have to manage tinnitus alone.
(1) Hackenberg B, Döge J, O’Brien K, Bohnert A, Lackner KJ, Beutel ME, Michal M, Münzel T, Wild PS, Pfeiffer N, Schulz A, Schmidtmann I, Matthias C, Bahr K. Tinnitus and Its Relation to Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-A Population-Based Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 1;12(3):1169. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031169. PMID: 36769823; PMCID: PMC9917824.
