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What is tinnitus? — Tinnitus is the term doctors use when a person hears ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring in 1 or both ears. Many people have this problem. In some people, it can last months or years. Tinnitus can be annoying, but it is not usually a sign of a serious problem.
What causes tinnitus? — Tinnitus is often caused by damage to cells in a part of the inner ear (figure 1). When these cells are damaged, they send signals to the brain that make you think you are hearing things that are not really there.
The damage that leads to tinnitus can be caused by:
●Normal aging and hearing loss
●Loud noise
●Medicines, including some antibiotics, anti-seizure medicines, and painkillers
●Head or neck injuries
●Certain diseases
What are the symptoms of tinnitus? — Most people with tinnitus hear a high-pitched, steady ringing. Some people with the condition hear pulsing, rushing, or humming sounds. These sounds sometimes get louder or softer during movement or exercise.
Should I see a doctor or nurse about the ringing in my ears? — Yes. If you hear ringing or other sounds that the people around you do not hear, see your doctor or nurse. They can run tests to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong with your ears.
Is there a treatment for tinnitus? — Doctors cannot usually cure tinnitus. But they can often offer treatments and techniques that make it easier to live with. Possible treatments include:
●Hearing aids – People whose tinnitus is related to hearing loss often find that they are less bothered by their tinnitus if they get a hearing aid. Hearing aids make outside sounds clearer and louder, which helps make tinnitus less noticeable.
●Tinnitus retraining therapy – During "tinnitus retraining therapy," you work with a tinnitus expert to retrain your brain. You learn to view the ringing in your ears as normal background sounds rather than annoying distractions. Over time the sounds bother you less.
●Biofeedback – During biofeedback, you learn to breathe deeply, relax, and change your reaction to your tinnitus in other ways. The technique helps you to be less bothered by the sounds.
●Cognitive behavioral therapy – During cognitive behavioral therapy, you talk with a psychologist or counselor. It teaches you ways to distract yourself and cope with tinnitus.
●Sounds that cover up tinnitus – People can sometimes cover up or "mask" the ringing in their ears by listening to music or other soft sounds. There is even a "white noise" device that makes a sound to mask tinnitus.
●Unproven treatments – Other treatments for tinnitus include electrical stimulation, acupuncture, and herbs. None of these treatments have been proven to work. But some people say they help. If you are using any of these treatments, be sure to tell your doctor or nurse.
What will my life be like? — If you have had tinnitus for a long time, it probably is not going to go away. But it might bother you less over time.
Try not to let yourself become distressed by your condition. And if you do feel down about it, ask your doctor or nurse for advice.
If your tinnitus makes it hard to sleep, talk to your doctor or nurse about that too. Losing sleep can make life even harder to cope with. But there might be treatments or strategies for you to try.
Patient education: Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) (Beyond the Basics)
