Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears without an external sound source. Often described as ringing in the ears, people can also sense tinnitus as buzzing or hissing. It can vary in pitch, loudness, and consistency.
Tinnitus is common. The CDC estimates that in the US:
- More than 45 million have tinnitus.
- Twenty million experience persistent tinnitus.
- Two million suffer from debilitating tinnitus, which significantly affects their quality of life.
What causes or worsens tinnitus?
Multiple factors.
- Hearing loss. People who have lost hearing send less auditory information to their brains. This deficit can trigger the brain to make "sound," called tinnitus. But for the record, 11% of people reporting tinnitus have normal hearing.
- Medications can cause tinnitus.
- Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can increase tinnitus.
- Physical causes. An injury or tension in a specific area can cause tinnitus. For some people, head and jaw movements change their perception of tinnitus.
Can tinnitus be assessed?
Tinnitus is often a symptom of hearing loss. If you have tinnitus but haven't had your hearing tested, schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist. If hearing loss is a contributing factor, your audiologist can treat your hearing loss and tinnitus. Note: While hearing technicians can screen hearing, they are not trained to counsel on tinnitus.
Some audiologists perform a tinnitus evaluation to help them determine treatment options. This technique involves measurements that classify the pitch and loudness of tinnitus.
Other specialists can help deepen the understanding of tinnitus. For example, audiologists refer patients to ear-nose-and-throat physicians, stress-management experts, dentists, and physical therapists.
Are there treatments for tinnitus?
Proven treatment options are available, but unfortunately, there isn't a cure.
Well-established treatments include counseling, improving quality of life, and sound therapy. In all cases, finding what works best requires experimentation. So be patient and explore a variety of approaches.
While audiologists are your first visit for tinnitus, other professionals can provide relief too. For instance, let's assume that stress (or anxiety, a stress reaction) increases your tinnitus. In that case, a counselor or therapist can help you find ways to reduce these triggers. The objective is to find activities that distract your brain from tinnitus.
Another option is sound therapy, which can ease tinnitus if you have hearing loss or normal hearing.
- If you have hearing loss, ask your audiologist about hearing aids that offer sound therapy. It's a proven capability for quieting tinnitus.
- If your hearing is normal, low-level background sounds can help reduce tinnitus. However, any background sounds used should be slightly softer than the level of your tinnitus. Your tinnitus should still be audible. This protocol helps train your brain to ignore tinnitus.
- Another option for people with normal hearing is on-ear sound generators. Similar in concept to background sound, on-ear sound generators offer the advantage of portable relief. These small devices, worn on the ear, create constant low-level sound to help mask tinnitus.
Get help
Treating tinnitus may require a mix of approaches, so where do you start? Schedule a visit with an audiologist — tinnitus is one of their specialties. They'll help you discover what therapy or combination of therapies gives you relief.
Crest Hill: 630-633-5060 | Palos Hills: 708-599-9500
► Follow-up post on tinnitus misconceptions
About Elizabeth Abbs, Au.D.
In her sophomore year at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, a class in deaf culture persuaded Elizabeth to become an audiologist. Now fascinated by hearing science, she switched her major. In 2021, Elizabeth graduated from Northwestern University with her Au.D., and has been with Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers ever since. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising, art, going out to eat, and spending time with friends and family.
