Understanding Tinnitus: Causes, Treatments, and How to Manage It

Ringing, buzzing, crackling, or humming in the ears is a condition experienced by many people worldwide. It can be mildly annoying for some, but it may have a greater impact on daily life for others. With this condition, people may find it hard to focus, sleep, or relax. The condition has a unique name: tinnitus.

Tinnitus is fairly common but misunderstood. While it’s not a disease itself, tinnitus is usually a symptom of an underlying issue. It may signify the start of hearing loss, stress, or other medical conditions.

Learn more about tinnitus, what causes it, which treatments work, and how to manage it.

The Types of Tinnitus and Their Causes

Tinnitus is most often described as ringing in one’s ears. However, other sounds may be experienced: buzzing, clicking, humming, and crackling. The noise can either be intermittent or continuous. Furthermore, there are two types of tinnitus, namely:

• Subjective tinnitus: The sounds are heard only by the person suffering from it. It’s most often linked to issues in the auditory system. It’s also the more common type.
• Objective tinnitus: Not only the person suffering from the tinnitus can hear it, but a healthcare provider can also detect it. This is the rarer type of tinnitus, often caused by vascular or muscular issues.

Understanding the root cause of tinnitus is vital for effective treatment. Some common causes for tinnitus are as follows.

Hearing-related causes

Noise-induced hearing loss, which occurs due to exposure to excessively loud noises damaging the inner ear’s hair cells, can lead to tinnitus. However, tinnitus may also happen to people dealing with presbycusis, a naturally occurring hearing loss brought on by aging.

Medical conditions

Ear infections or blockages that cause earwax buildup or eustachian tube dysfunction can cause temporary tinnitus. Other conditions like Meniere’s disease or bone growth condition in the middle ear (otosclerosis) may also be the culprits. 

Other factors

Tinnitus may appear if a person consumes ototoxic medications, which are drugs that affect hearing like high doses of aspirin, certain antibiotics, and diuretics. A head injury or trauma to the neck that disturbs your auditory nerves or blood flow may also cause it. Furthermore, emotional distress can exacerbate tinnitus, further worsening the symptoms.

Tinnitus Diagnosis and Treatment

If tinnitus starts to affect your quality of life, consulting a healthcare professional will help. During the evaluation, you are expected to discuss your medical history and undergo hearing tests. Proper audiometry can assess your hearing ability and identify hearing loss. In some cases, imaging tests (CT or MRI scans) may also be performed to rule out any other issues. 

Tinnitus treatment may vary as there’s no universal cure for tinnitus. The treatments your audiologist may recommend are:

Medical interventions

Medically treating your underlying conditions will alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus. Address issues like ear infections, impacted earwax, or Meniere’s disease during your check-up and evaluation to resolve the condition. However, don’t expect any drugs to specifically cure tinnitus. Some medications may reduce its severity, particularly if anxiety or depression is involved, but there’s no miraculous cure-all for tinnitus.

Hearing aids and sound therapy

Hearing aids amplify external sounds so that tinnitus becomes less noticeable for those with hearing loss. There are also tinnitus-masking devices available; they generate white noise or other calming sounds to blend with the tinnitus and make it bearable. Some mobile apps also provide customizable soundscapes to soothe tinnitus. It helps during quiet moments like bedtime or working and studying. 

Alternative therapies

Your audiologist may recommend alternative treatments to alleviate your tinnitus. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients change negative thoughts linked to tinnitus and reduce stress. Some may also find relief through acupuncture, although it’s not effective for everyone. Meanwhile, practicing yoga, mindfulness meditation, and breathing exercises can lower stress and ease tinnitus symptoms.

How to Manage Tinnitus

Managing tinnitus may be intimidating, as it often requires changing one’s lifestyle to a healthier one. However, the following coping strategies may improve the quality of life for those with tinnitus.

1. Live healthily: Regular exercise is recommended, as physical activity improves blood flow, which can positively affect ear health. Try reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake, as these can sometimes worsen tinnitus symptoms.
2. Protect your ears: Using ear protection can prevent further hearing damage and tinnitus from happening daily. Put some earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to deal with large environments.
3. Avoid stress: Practice mindfulness or progressive muscle relaxation to calm your mind. A quiet mind can reduce the intensity of the tinnitus.
4. Sleep better: Avoid screens before bed to maintain a consistent bedtime. Sleeping in a dark, quiet environment is also helpful for managing tinnitus.
5. Create background noise: Use a fan, soft music, or a white noise machine to drown out tinnitus, especially in quiet settings.
6. Consult a professional and get treatment: A routine hearing exam will allow you to consult an audiologist or hearing health professional who can treat your symptoms. They may also recommend personalized treatment for tinnitus and hearing loss.
7. Join support groups: Connecting with people who can guide you and understand your experience with tinnitus can provide you with emotional support and practical advice.

Conclusion

Tinnitus can easily frustrate anyone, but understanding its causes and seeking treatment will help improve your coping. Medical interventions, hearing aids, sound therapy, and alternative treatment options like acupuncture and meditation may prevent the tinnitus from affecting your life too much. Managing it may require drastic lifestyle changes, but things like living healthily, using ear protection, and creating background noise can help you cope better with tinnitus.

El Dorado Hearing is ready to check your ears for tinnitus, find out the state of your current hearing, and give you the tinnitus treatment you need. Schedule an appointment for a hearing exam with our audiologists today.