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Tinnitus: symptoms, causes and treatment
Tinnitus affects approximately 17 to 20% of Australians. If you've noticed a ringing in your ears or a change in your hearing, reach out to our friendly team about what you can do next.
Symptoms
Tinnitus refers to sounds you hear in your ears or head that are not in your external environment. You are more likely to notice these sounds in quiet situations or late at night. Tinnitus is usually a persistent ringing in your ears, but it also sounds like:- Hissing
- Whooshing
- Buzzing
- Roaring or loud "white noise"
- Whistling
- Ringing
These noises can vary in volume and severity. They may appear in passing phases, wave-like intervals or be continuous. If you are experiencing noises that you find irritating or distressing, you may want to consider a hearing test.
Causes
Tinnitus most commonly develops in the inner or middle ear. Damages or changes in your inner ear causes certain sounds to be transmitted to the brain more faintly. Your brain responds to this by "turning up the volume" on sounds your ear is having difficulty hearing. When tinnitus occurs in the middle ear, it is often the result of a damaged eardrum.
Research is still being conducted into how the noise develops but in most cases tinnitus is caused by:
- Loud noises: Excessive strain on your hearing by loud noises is the most common trigger of tinnitus. Those who have regularly been in a noisy environment (workplace noise, traffic, loud music or machinery) for years are at much higher risk of tinnitus.
- Fatigue/Stress: Studies have shown that those affected by acute hearing loss and tinnitus have more frequently been under severe stress than those without.
- Injury: If you experience a trauma to your ear, head or neck this can cause tinnitus to develop.
- Medication: Tinnitus may be a side effect of certain medications. These include specific pain and arthritis medications, remedies for malaria and certain antidepressants that may trigger the symptoms of tinnitus.
- Illness: Infections or inflammation in your ear, diabetes, Ménière’s disease, chronic emotional stress and other illnesses have been linked as causes of tinnitus.
- Age/Hearing Loss: As you age or if experience hearing loss the functionality of your ears changes. This can cause people to experience tinnitus.
Treatments
If you have tinnitus and it is having an impact on your life, see your hearing care professional as soon as possible. They will be able to provide you with tailored care and talk you through next steps to find the best solution for you.
Depending on the type and severity of your tinnitus treatment may include:
- Meditation and/or relaxation exercises
- Stress reduction
- Sound therapies
- Medication
- Aid from psychologists and/or counsellors
- Improving overall health
- Hearing aids
When managed well, tinnitus can have minimal impact on your life. Our expert hearing care professionals are ready to support you with a tailored treatment plan. Contact us at Connect Hearing today and take the first step to better hearing.
Do you think you have tinnitus?
When to seek advice from an expert.
If the noise in your ear lasts longer than 24 hours, seek the advice of a hearing professional.
Is the noise disrupting your life?
If the ringing in your ear is impacting your quality of life, we recommend getting a hearing test.
Should I get a hearing test?
If you are concerned at all about your hearing book in for one of our free hearing tests.
If you're concerned you or someone you know may have tinnitus contact us or book an appointment at Connect Hearing for advice on next steps
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