Common Questions and Facts about Tinnitus

WHAT IS IT?

Tinnitus is a subjective experience of hearing a sound, a ringing, or a noise when no such external physical sound is present. Some call it "head noises", "ringing", or other similar things.

WHAT DOES "TINNITUS" MEAN?

There are many causes: indeed almost everything that can go wrong with the ear has tinnitus associated with it as a symptom. Things as simple as wax against the ear drum to very serious items as tumors on the Vill nerve can produce tinnitus. Otosclerosis (fixation of the bones in the middle ear) can produce tinnitus. Ménière's disease has tinnitus associated with it. One of the most common causes of tinnitus is exposure to excessively loud sounds such as shooting, chain saws, rock concerts, and other loud sounds. Other known causes of tinnitus result from infections, allergies and circulatory disturbances producing changes within the ear.

DO MANY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM TINNITUS?

Yes, in its severe form tinnitus is the third worst thing that can happen to mankind. The worst is severe unrelievable pain, the second worst is severe, unrelievable dizziness, and the third worst is severe unrelievable tinnitus.

DO WE KNOW WHAT TINNITUS IS?

No, the actual thing or event or mechanism of tinnitus is not known. We know it is real; something has gone wrong in the auditory system, but we do not know what that something is. We do know that it is not the patient's imagination; it is a physiological or neurological event that is real.

DOES TINNITUS MEAN THAT ONE IS GOING DEAF?

No, tinnitus is an indication that some kind of damaging agent has attacked the hearing mechanism, but its presence does not mean that the patient will become deaf.

WHAT MAKES TINNITUS WORSE?

• Loud Sounds. This is the key thing. Tinnitus patients must avoid loud sounds. If they use chain saws or shot guns or ride loud motorcycles or use outboard engines, etc., they must wear ear protection, either ear plugs or ear muffs, or both. Tinnitus patients are encouraged to do an overkill in protecting their ears from loud sounds.

• Nicotine. We ask all tinnitus patients to give up smoking because of the vascular effects of nicotine.

• Caffeine. We ask all tinnitus patients to give up all forms of caffeine for a one-month period to determine whether or not caffeine has an adverse effect on their tinnitus. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, all cola drinks such as Coca-Cola and chocolate.

• Excessive Use of Alcohol. Almost all tinnitus patients find that following states of intoxication, their tinnitus is worse.

• Marijuana. All tinnitus patients are urged to avoid marijuana in all forms.

• Stress or Fatigue. These do tend to aggravate tinnitus whatever the cause. Many things can help to refresh and relax you, e. g. getting enough rest, controlling stress, etc.

• Medications (for other illnesses) which makes the tinnitus louder must be reported to your doctor - an alternative should be obtained. Avoid aspirin if possible.

• Weather Change. For quite a few tinnitus patients, a change in atmospheric pressure can either reduce or worsen their tinnitus temporarily.

• Attention. Concentrating on the sound can make it louder.

IS IT ASSOCIATED WITH HEARING LOSS?

In most cases, tinnitus is associated with some hearing loss. For example, those who have been exposed to excessively loud sounds will have a hearing loss for the high-pitched tones. Usually their tinnitus will be located as a high-pitched tone in the region of the hearing loss. In some cases, tinnitus is present where there is no hearing loss and for no discernible reason.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT TINNITUS?

The first step is to consult your doctor who may refer you to an Ear, Noise and Throat specialist to investigate the cause.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TINNITUS?

Wearing a Hearing Aid

If a hearing impairment accompanies your tinnitus, then wearing a hearing aid may help. A hearing aid amplifies conversation and environmental sounds which will often mask tinnitus. Concentrating on outside sounds tends to reduce awareness of 'internal' sounds.

Stress Management

Stress has a significant impact on the perception of the tinnitus as it leads to the heightened sensitivity of the brain to all sounds. It is worth evaluating your lifestyle so it includes enjoyable and relaxing activities. Become passionate about a sport, a hobby, further education, or something to concentrate on when the tinnitus is annoying you.

Listening to Other Sounds

Some environmental sounds can mask tinnitus, e. g. the sound of the sea, rain, the noise of a fan or air conditioner, engine noise, the ticking of a loud clock, the radio, music, etc. and it can be especially helpful to listen to sounds late at night as it is likely you will be most aware of your 'sound' at that time. If necessary, you can listen to the radio through a 'pillow speaker', so that others cannot hear it. Some find that the static noise produced by a radio, tuned slightly off-station, can also drown out tinnitus. Sleeping with your head on extra high pillows may alleviate tinnitus as it sometimes relieves congestion.