Do you often find yourself hearing strange sounds in your ears, like buzzing and ringing?
If so, then you may be experiencing tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a distinct concern for numerous people around the world – with some estimating that up to 50 million Americans are affected by it – but the cause of this condition remains somewhat mysterious.
Is there a link between tinnitus and hearing loss? Read on to find out more about these two conditions and how they might affect you or someone you know.
10 Causes of Tinnitus
1. Damage to the auditory system: Damage to the parts of the auditory system—such as the cochlea, vestibulocochlear nerve, or auditory cortex—can cause tinnitus. This type of damage can be caused by physical trauma or infection, as well as through exposure to loud noises over long periods of time.
2. Medication side effects: Many medications—both prescription and over-the-counter drugs—can produce tinnitus as a side effect. These include certain antibiotics, cancer treatments, sedatives, and antidepressants.
3. Hearing loss: Hearing loss can significantly increase the chances of developing tinnitus in both ears. This is because, when we hear something using both ears, the sound waves reach different parts of our brain. With hearing loss, this doesn’t happen as effectively.
4. Stress: We all experience stress from time to time, but long-term and unmanaged stress can lead to physical and mental problems like tinnitus.
5. Overproduction of ear wax: Too much ear wax can soften and swell the eardrum, leading to tinnitus.
6. Neck or jaw misalignment: Misalignments in the joints of our neck or jaw—known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)—can cause tension in the surrounding muscles, leading to tinnitus.
7. Exposure to loud noise: Prolonged or sudden exposure to loud noises can damage the delicate cells of our cochlea, causing tinnitus.
8. Ear bone changes: Changes in the tiny bones—also known as ossicles—of our middle ear can cause tinnitus. These changes may be caused by infection or repeated loud noise exposure.
9. High blood pressure: High blood pressure not only has physical symptoms, but it can also cause tinnitus in some cases.
10. Mental health conditions: Stress and anxiety are known to trigger tinnitus in some people. Additionally, conditions such as depression and PTSD can cause tinnitus-like symptoms.
How Does Hearing Loss Relate to Tinnitus
Generally speaking, hearing loss and tinnitus are closely related.
While it is possible to experience tinnitus without any hearing loss, it is often a symptom of an underlying hearing loss problem.
The most common cause of tinnitus is damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear.
This damage is usually associated with aging, noise exposure, certain medications, or a disorder of the inner ear. Unfortunately, this damage can lead to hearing loss, as well as tinnitus.
People who experience age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) are particularly vulnerable to developing tinnitus.
As we age, it becomes more difficult for our ears to process certain frequencies of sound. This can lead to a decrease in hearing and an increase in tinnitus symptoms.
In some cases, treating the underlying cause of the hearing loss can improve both the hearing loss and the tinnitus.
Possible Reason Why Hearing Loss May Relate to Tinnitus
Hearing loss and tinnitus often coexist, with many individuals with hearing loss also experiencing tinnitus. This relationship between the two conditions has led researchers to explore the possible reasons why hearing loss may relate to tinnitus.
One possible explanation is that when the brain receives reduced acoustic input from the inner ear due to hearing loss, it may create phantom sounds in an attempt to fill in the gaps.
In other words, when the neural activity related to missing frequencies in the auditory signal is increased in the absence of actual acoustic input, it can lead to the perception of sound that isn’t present, resulting in tinnitus.
Another theory suggests that both hearing loss and tinnitus may be caused by the same underlying mechanism of neural hyperactivity.
Essentially, hearing loss may trigger a maladaptive increase in neuronal firing that can result in tinnitus.
Whatever the link between hearing loss and tinnitus may be, research into this connection is essential for developing better treatments and interventions to help individuals manage these challenging and distressing conditions.
Diagnosing and Treating Tinnitus
- Schedule an appointment with a hearing professional to assess the presence and type of tinnitus, as well as its severity. The evaluation should include questions about any medications you are taking, your family medical history, and a physical examination of the ear.
- Request an audiogram, or hearing test, to evaluate hearing loss and determine the type of tinnitus.
- Request an imaging scan, such as an MRI or CT scan, to check for any underlying medical conditions that might be causing the tinnitus.
- Get a referral to a specialist if necessary. Depending on the results of your evaluation, you may need to see a specialist, such as an audiologist or neurologist.
- Investigate possible treatments and interventions. Depending on the diagnosis, there are many potential treatments, interventions, and therapies that can help manage tinnitus symptoms.
- Try sound-masking devices if your hearing professional recommends them. These devices emit background noise to help mask the sound of tinnitus.
- Consider hearing aids if you have any degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids can help improve your ability to hear external sounds, which may reduce the perception of tinnitus.
- Try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) if recommended by your healthcare provider. CBT can help you to change the way you think and feel about your tinnitus symptoms.
- Talk to a counselor or therapist if recommended. Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing, so talking with a qualified mental health professional may be helpful in managing your symptoms.
- Ask your healthcare provider about medications that may help reduce tinnitus symptoms. There are several medications that can help manage the condition, so be sure to discuss this option with your doctor.
Tips for Managing Your Symptoms of Tinnitus
- Reduce exposure to loud noise whenever possible.
- Wear ear protection if you must be in a noisy environment.
- Create white noise and background sounds, such as fans or soft music, to mask tinnitus symptoms when needed.
- Avoid medications that can worsen symptoms of tinnitus (e.g., certain antibiotics).
- Exercise regularly and engage in stress-reduction activities like yoga or meditation to help manage your symptoms of tinnitus and reduce stress levels overall.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day; dehydration can aggravate tinnitus symptoms for some people.
- Get sufficient restful sleep each night; this is especially important if you are struggling with fatigue due to your tinnitus symptoms
- Talk with friends and family about how your condition affects you so they can offer emotional support when needed
- Participate in professional counseling sessions or join a local support group dedicated to helping individuals manage their condition
- Consider alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, herbal supplements, massage therapy, biofeedback, and hypnotherapy, that may help alleviate tinnitus symptoms.