| What is Tinnitus? |
| Tinnitus is the
name given to the condition of noises
'in the ears' and/or 'in the head' with
no external source. Tinnitus noises
are described variously as ringing,
whistling, buzzing and humming. |
 |
| The noise/s may
be heard in one ear, both ears or in
the middle of the head or it may be
difficult to pinpoint its exact location.
The noise may be low, medium or high-pitched.
There may be a single noise or two or
more components. The noise may be continuous
or it may come and go. |
|
| What causes Tinnitus? |
| Tinnitus is not
a disease or an illness, it is a symptom
generated within a person's own auditory
pathways. Although it is often assumed
that tinnitus occurs as a result of
disease of the ears, this is often not
the cause. The precise cause of tinnitus
is still not fully understood but is
usually associated with some hearing
deficits. |
|
| Who gets Tinnitus? |
| Experiences of
tinnitus are very common in all age
groups, especially following exposure
to loud noise, however, it is unusual
for it to be a major problem. There
is a widely held misconception that
tinnitus is confined to the elderly,
but various studies have shown that
it can occur at any age, even quite
young children. Mild tinnitus is common
- about 10 per cent of the population
have it all the time and, in up to one
per cent of adults, this may affect
the quality of their life. |
|
| If you think you have
Tinnitus... |
|
| 1-See your doctor |
| Tinnitus is rarely
an indication of a serious disorder,
but it is wise to see your doctor if
you think you might have it. Should
something treatable be causing it, you
might be referred to a specialist. |
|
| 2-Try not to worry |
| The noises may
seem worse if you are anxious or stressed.
When tinnitus starts, particularly if
it's sudden, you may naturally be frightened
and your concentration or your sleep
may be disturbed. You may get angry
and frustrated because no-one else understands,
or you may live alone and not have anyone
to talk to about it - that's where the
BTA can help. |
|
| Find out more |
| You will probably
feel better when you find out more about
the condition - that it's very common
and you're not alone. Many people say
that they notice tinnitus less when
they are doing something. Keeping your
mind occupied helps (but don't overdo
things). If the noises seem louder at
quiet times, particularly during the
night, it may help to have soothing
music or some other environmental or
natural sound quietly on in the background.
Practising relaxation and taking time
out for yourself can also be a great
help. If you would like to talk to someone
about any problems you have, we can
put you in touch with a support group
near you. Many groups are run by people
who are living with tinnitus - personal
contact and shared experiences are very
useful. |
|
| More |
| Tinnitus can be
described as "ringing" ears
and other head noises that are perceived
in the absence of any external noise
source. It is estimated that 1 out of
every 5 people experience some degree
of tinnitus. Tinnitus is classified
into two forms: objective and subjective. |
|
| 1-Objective Tinnitus |
| The rarer form,
consists of head noises audible to other
people in addition to the sufferer.
The noises are usually caused by vascular
anomalies, repetitive muscle contractions,
or inner ear structural defects. The
sounds are heard by the sufferer and
are generally external to the auditory
system. This form of tinnitus means
that an examiner can hear the sound
heard by the sufferer by using a stethoscope.
Benign causes, such as noise from TMJ,
openings of the eustachian tubes, or
repetitive muscle contractions may be
the cause of objective tinnitus. The
sufferer might hear the pulsatile flow
of the carotid artery or the continuous
hum of normal venous outflow through
the jugular vein when in a quiet setting.
It can also be an early sign of increased
intracranial pressure and is often overshadowed
by other neurologic abnormalities. The
sounds may arise from a turbulant flow
through compressed venous structures
at the base of the brain. |
|
| 2-Objective Tinnitus |
|
| This form of tinnitus
may occur anywhere in the auditory system
and is much less understood, with the
causes being many and open to debate.
Anything from the ear canal to the brain
may be involved. The sounds can range
from a metallic ringing, buzzing, blowing,
roaring, or sometimes similar to a claanging,
popping, or nonrhythmic beating. It
can be accompanied by audiometric evidence
of deafness which occurs in association
with both conductive and sensorineural
hearing loss. Other conditions and syndromes
which may have tinnitus in conjunction
with the condition or syndrom, are otosclerosis,
Menier's syndrome, and cochlear or auditory
neve lesions. |
| Hearing loss, hyperacusis,
recruitment, FMS, and balance problems
may or may not be present in conjunction
with tinnitus. |
|
| FAQ's: |
| What is Tinnitus? |
| Tinnitus is the
medical term for the perception of sound
in one or both ears or in the head when
no external sound is present. It is
often referred to as "ringing in
the ears," although some people
hear hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping,
or clicking. Tinnitus can be intermittent
or constant-with single or multiple
tones-and its perceived volume can range
from subtle to shattering. |
|
| How many people have
Tinnitus? |
| The ATA estimates
that over 50 million Americans experience
tinnitus to some degree. Of these, about
12 million have severe enough tinnitus
to seek medical attention. And about
two million patients are so seriously
debilitated that they cannot function
on a "normal," day-to-day
basis. |
|
| I have heard two different
pronunciations. Which is correct? |
| Tinnitus has two
pronunciations: tin-NIGHT-us or TIN-it-us.
Both are correct, though the American
Tinnitus Association uses tin-NIGHT-us.
The word comes from Latin and means
"to tinkle or to ring like a bell." |
|
| What causes Tinnitus? |
| The exact physiological
cause or causes of tinnitus are not
known. There are, however, several likely
sources, all of which are known to trigger
or worsen tinnitus. |
|
Noise-induced hearing loss - Exposure
to loud noises can damage and even destroy
hair cells, called cilia, in the inner
ear. Once damaged, these hair cells
cannot be renewed or replaced. Millions
of Americans have hearing loss due to
noise exposure, and up to 90 percent
of all tinnitus patients have some level
of noise-induced hearing loss. |
|
|
Wax build-up in the ear canal - The
amount of wax ears produce varies by
individual. Sometimes, people produce
enough wax that their hearing can be
compromised or their tinnitus can seem
louder. If you produce a lot of earwax,
speak to your physician about having
excess wax removed manually-not with
a cotton swab, but by an otolaryngologist
(also called an ear, nose, and throat
doctor). |
|
|
Certain medications - Some medications
are ototoxic-that is, the medications
are toxic to the ear. Other medications
will produce tinnitus as a side effect
without damaging the inner ear. Effects,
which can depend on the dosage of the
medication, can be temporary or permanent.
Before taking any medication, make sure
that your prescribing physician is aware
of your tinnitus, and discuss alternative
medications that may be available. |
|
|
Ear or sinus infections - Many people,
including children, experience tinnitus
along with an ear or sinus infection.
Generally, the tinnitus will lessen
and gradually go away once the infection
is healed. |
|
|
Jaw misalignment - Some people have
misaligned jaw joints or jaw muscles,
which can not only induce tinnitus,
but also affect cranial muscles and
nerves and shock absorbers in the jaw
joint. Many dentists specialize in this
temporomandibular jaw misalignment and
can provide assistance with treatment.
|
|
|
Cardiovascular disease - Approximately
3 percent of tinnitus patients experience
pulsatile tinnitus; people with pulsatile
tinnitus typically hear a rhythmic pulsing,
often in time with a heartbeat. Pulsatile
tinnitus can indicate the presence of
a vascular condition-where the blood
flow through veins and arteries is compromised-like
a heart murmur, hypertension, or hardening
of the arteries. |
|
|
Certain types of tumors - Very rarely,
people have a benign and slow-growing
tumor on their auditory, vestibular,
or facial nerves. These tumors can cause
tinnitus, deafness, facial paralysis,
and loss of balance. |
|
|
Head and neck trauma - Physical trauma
to the head and neck can induce tinnitus.
Other symptoms include headaches, vertigo,
and memory loss. |
|
| Do children get Tinnitus? |
| Tinnitus does not
discriminate: people of all ages experience
tinnitus. However, tinnitus is not a
common complaint from children. Children
with tinnitus are less likely than adults
to report their experience, in part
because children with tinnitus are statistically
more likely to have been born with hearing
loss. They may not notice or be bothered
by their tinnitus because they have
experienced it their entire lives. |
|
| Children, like
people of all ages, can be at risk for
tinnitus if they are exposed to loud
noises. Recreational events like fairs
or car races or sports games can all
include high-decibels activities that
can damage kids' ears. Hearing protection
is always recommended, as is a discussion
about the danger of loud noises and
the choices kids have to turn it down
or walk away. |
|
| My neighbor has Tinnitus
but says it doesn't bother her. Mine
drives me nuts. Why the difference? |
| Approximately 50
million Americans experience tinnitus,
but not everyone experiences it to the
same degree. Some people hear ringing
or other noises in their ears immediately
following exposure to excessive noise,
like right after a concert, but the
sound is temporary. Other people report
hearing a slight noise all the time
if they listen for it, but most of the
time cannot distinguish the noise over
all the other sounds in their environment.
Other factors can affect the severity
of the condition from patient to patient,
such as different degrees of hearing
loss and different kinds of noises heard.
Interestingly, the loudness of the tinnitus,
when measured in a laboratory setting,
did not correlate to the severity of
the tinnitus as rated by the patients
themselves. Every person has his or
her own level of tolerance to the tinnitus
sounds. It is a very personal and individual
experience. |
|
| Is Tinnitus hereditary? |
| There appears to
be a predisposition based on heredity
for some people when they are exposed
to loud sounds, but whether or not tinnitus
is genetically indicated is not certain.
Scientists working on the Human Genome
Project, for example, have not discovered
a "tinnitus gene," but they
have identified genes that are responsible
for a few rare varieties of hearing
loss, temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
dysfunction, Ménière's
Disease, and acoustic Neuroma. These
conditions frequently include tinnitus
as a side effect, which suggests that
there might be a connection. For now,
however, a connection between your mother's
tinnitus and your tinnitus is still
unknown. |
|
| We have recently
funded a three-year study that is attempting
to improve our understanding of a genetic
component, if any. In 2002, Avril Holt,
Ph.D., from the University of Michigan,
received $200,000 from the American
Tinnitus Association for "Differential
Gene Expression in a Central Tinnitus
Model." Her abstract states: |
|
| ABSTRACT: Tinnitus,
the perception of sound in the absence
of an acoustic stimulus, is a significant
problem in the United States that affects
more than one third of the population
and is the most commonly referred otological
problem. In light of recent studies
implicating increased spontaneous activity
in specific brain regions, testable
hypotheses that address the underlying
mechanisms of tinnitus can be posed.
The studies proposed here will provide
key insights into the mechanisms underlying
central tinnitus and provide a basis
for future studies to develop methods
and interventions to prevent, treat,
or cure central tinnitus. |
|
| Is there a cure for
Tinnitus? |
| There is no cure,
per se, for tinnitus in that there is
no one magic pill that will make the
millions of people with tinnitus no
longer hear the noises in their ears
and head. However, in some cases, tinnitus
can be quieted. For example, some people
have excessive earwax that blocks outside
sound from coming in. When ear wax or
any foreign object, such as a hair,
touches the eardrum, tinnitus can be
a result. By having a physician or audiologist
remove the wax, the source of the tinnitus
is also removed. Some people with severe
hearing loss have found that a cochlear
implant helps them hear the world around
them, which in part makes the tinnitus
in their heads much less noticeable.
Neither of these examples is a hard
and fast cure, but the examples do represent
that relief is available and possible. |
|
| In the meantime,
ATA enthusiastically supports tinnitus
research with grants to researchers
worldwide. ATA also advocates for increased
federal funding of tinnitus and hearing
research. |
|
| What kinds of treatments
are available? |
| There are many
treatments for tinnitus. You will want
to talk with your doctor, audiologist,
or other healthcare professional to
find the best treatment for you. Because
tinnitus is so individual, treatments
work differently for different people. |
|
| Which treatment does
the American Tinnitus Association recommend? |
| The American Tinnitus
Association does not recommend a specific
treatment for tinnitus. Treatments,
like causes of tinnitus, are varied,
and what works for one does not work
for all. Controlled clinical research
is also limited, and so there are no
data that state unequivocally that one
treatment is better than all the rest.
As a resource for patients, the ATA
provides information on all available
treatments and contact information for
professionals, with the encouragement
for patients to find a professional
who will take the time to find the appropriate
treatment for them. |
|
| Does health insurance
cover tinnitus treatments? |
| Health insurance
rules can vary immensely by state. And
private health insurance can be far
different than public programs like
Medicaid or Medicare. It is possible
that initial visits to an ear, nose,
and throat doctor or audiologist are
covered by insurance, but it is also
possible that many tinnitus treatments
are not covered because they are considered
experimental. Other treatments, like
hearing aids, are not covered at all
because they are expensive, and insurance
companies don't have to cover them. |
|
| What's the difference
between masking and TRT? |
| Masking and TRT
(tinnitus retraining therapy) are similar
in many ways. Both treatments introduce
sounds to patients. In-the-ear maskers
emit sounds that either partially or
completely cover the sounds of tinnitus.
TRT sound generators, also worn in the
ear, emit a much quieter sound that
allows the tinnitus to still be heard.
Maskers are meant to provide immediate
relief from the perception of tinnitus.
TRT and its use of sound generators
are accompanied by a specific kind of
counseling called "directive counseling";
the combination is intended to retrain
the brain to no longer notice the tinnitus
signal. Unlike the immediate effectiveness
of masking, TRT can sometimes take as
long as two years to be achieved. |
|
| What is residual inhibition? |
| Residual inhibition
is the temporary suppression of tinnitus
after someone who uses a masker turns
the masker off. Sometimes, someone may
have a masker in, wear it for a little
while, and then turn it off to find
out that his tinnitus is either reduced
or totally absent. The time period of
this cessation of tinnitus after masking
can vary from a few minutes to a few
days. People who experience residual
inhibition must have tinnitus that can
be masked -- i.e., a masker must be
a viable treatment for your tinnitus. |
|
| What kinds of drugs
are available to treat Tinnitus? |
| There is no drug
on the market designed specifically
for tinnitus treatment. There are, however,
several medications that have provided
many tinnitus patients with relief.
But they are not without their own caveats.
For example, some medications that can
help tinnitus are also habit forming
and should only be used when under the
care of a physician who understands
tinnitus. |
|
| What kind of alternative
treatments could I try? |
Again, ATA does
not recommend any specific treatment
for tinnitus management. This is for
you and your health care provider to
determine. Many of these treatments
are considered controversial because
there is too little research on them
showing overwhelmingly positive results.
Furthermore, dietary supplement manufacturers
are only required to demonstrate proof
of safety, not proof of effectiveness
Still, some people with tinnitus report
that these alternative therapies work. |
|
| The Noise in Your Ears:
More Facts About Tinnitus |
| Do you hear a ringing,
roaring, clicking, or hissing sound
in your ears? Do you hear this sound
often or all the time? Does the sound
bother you a lot? If you answer yes
to these questions, you may have tinnitus
(tin-NY-tus). |
|
| Tinnitus is a symptom
associated with many forms of hearing
loss. It can also be a symptom of other
health problems. According to estimates
by the American Tinnitus Association,
at least 12 million Americans have tinnitus.
Of these, at least 1 million experience
it so severely that it interferes with
their daily activities. People with
severe cases of tinnitus may find it
difficult to hear, work, or even sleep. |
|
| What causes Tinnitus? |
|
|
Hearing loss |
| Doctors and scientists
have discovered that people with different
kinds of hearing loss also have tinnitus. |
|
|
Loud noise |
| Too much exposure
to loud noise can cause noise-induced
hearing loss and tinnitus. |
|
|
Medicine |
| More than 200 medicines
can cause tinnitus. If you have tinnitus
and you take medicine, ask your doctor
or pharmacist whether your medicine
could be involved. |
|
|
Other health problems |
| Allergies, tumors,
and problems in the heart and blood
vessels, jaws, and neck can cause tinnitus. |
|
| What should I do if
I have Tinnitus? |
| The most important
thing you can do is to go see your doctor.
Your doctor can try to determine what
is causing your tinnitus. He or she
can check to see if it is related to
blood pressure, kidney function, diet,
or allergies. Your doctor can also determine
whether your tinnitus is related to
any medicine you are taking. |
|
| To learn more about
what is causing your tinnitus, your
doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist
(oh-toe-lair-in-GAH-luh-jist), an ear,
nose, and throat doctor. He or she will
examine your ears and your hearing to
try to find out why you have tinnitus.
Another hearing professional, an audiologist
(aw-dee-AH-luh-jist), can measure your
hearing. If you need a hearing aid,
an audiologist can fit you with one
that meets your needs. |
|
| How will hearing experts
treat my Tinnitus? |
| Although there
is no cure for tinnitus, scientists
and doctors have discovered several
treatments that may give you some relief.
Not every treatment works for everyone,
so you may need to try several to find
the ones that help. |
|
| Treatments can
include |
|
| Hearing aids |
| Many people with
tinnitus also have a hearing loss. Wearing
a hearing aid makes it easier for some
people to hear the sounds they need
to hear by making them louder. The better
you hear other people talking or the
music you like, the less you notice
your tinnitus. |
|
| Maskers |
| Maskers are small
electronic devices that use sound to
make tinnitus less noticeable. Maskers
do not make tinnitus go away, but they
make the ringing or roaring seem softer.
For some people, maskers hide their
tinnitus so well that they can barely
hear it. |
|
| Some people sleep
better when they use maskers. Listening
to static at a low volume on the radio
or using bedside maskers can help. These
are devices you can put by your bed
instead of behind your ear. They can
help you ignore your tinnitus and fall
asleep. |
|
| Medicine or drug therapy |
| Some medicines
may ease tinnitus. If your doctor prescribes
medicine to treat your tinnitus, he
or she can tell you whether the medicine
has any side effects. |
|
| Tinnitus retraining
therapy |
| This treatment
uses a combination of counseling and
maskers. Otolaryngologists and audiologists
help you learn how to deal with your
tinnitus better. You may also use maskers
to make your tinnitus less noticeable.
After a while, some people learn how
to avoid thinking about their tinnitus.
It takes time for this treatment to
work, but it can be very helpful. |
|
| Counseling |
| People with tinnitus
may become depressed. Talking with a
counselor or people in tinnitus support
groups may be helpful. |
|
| Relaxing |
| Learning how to
relax is very helpful if the noise in
your ears frustrates you. Stress makes
tinnitus seem worse. By relaxing, you
have a chance to rest and better deal
with the sound. |
|
| What can I do to help
myself? |
| Think about things
that will help you cope. Many people
find listening to music very helpful.
Focusing on music might help you forget
about your tinnitus for a while. It
can also help mask the sound. Other
people like to listen to recorded nature
sounds, like ocean waves, the wind,
or even crickets. |
|
Avoid anything
that can make your tinnitus worse. This
includes smoking, alcohol, and loud
noise. If you are a construction worker,
an airport worker, or a hunter, or if
you are regularly exposed to loud noise
at home or at work, wear ear plugs or
special earmuffs to protect your hearing
and keep your tinnitus from getting
worse.
If it is hard for you to hear over your
tinnitus, ask your friends and family
to face you when they talk so you can
see their faces. Seeing their expressions
may help you understand them better.
Ask people to speak louder, but not
shout. Also, tell them they do not have
to talk slowly, just more clearly. |
|
| Information about
Tinnitus on the internet |
Tinnitus Action,
London
www.tinnitus.co.uk
American Tinnitus Association
www.ata.org
Tinnitus Association of Canada
www.kadis.com/ta/tinnitus.htm
Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Centre,
London
www.tinnitus.org
Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Center,
Atlanta, USA
www.tinnitus-pjj.com
Oregon Hearing Research Center Tinnitus
Clinic, USA
www.ohsu.edu/ohrc/tinnitusclinic/
Newsgroups and chat-rooms
The Tinnitus Message Board
www.visi.com/~weibergc/tinnitus/tinnitus.html
The Tinnitus Support Chat Room
www.representatives.com/tinnitus.html
The Tinnitus Online Community
www.eskimo.com/~carol/T.html |
|
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