What is Tinnitus?

What is Tinnitus?
By Wolfdave

Tinnitus is a medical term to describe the presence of noise in the ears or the head. The noise, such as whistling, buzzing or ringing, comes from inside the head. The sounds vary from one person to another; sometimes they are faint and can only be detected by the person affected. However, in some cases the noises can be heard by other people. The common factor with all tinnitus cases is that they do not come from an external source.

As well as the most common sounds already mentioned, other noises associated with tinnitus can include: humming, singing, music, hissing or other sounds. In some cases the noise beats in time to the pulse of the person. This is known as pulsatile tinnitus.

Some people will only notice these sounds when they are in bed and all is quiet. For other sufferers, the noise can be much louder and can have an effect on concentration and everyday life, especially if other people such as work colleagues, can also hear the noise. It is quite common for most people to experience tinnitus at some time or other and it can affect all ages. For most people it will only last for a short while after exposure to loud noises such as after a music concert. Other temporary cases of tinnitus can be caused by having a cold, dental problems or a blow to the head.

A recent survey in the UK found that 1 in 7 people have experienced tinnitus for short periods. This rises to 1 in 100 for people with long-term tinnitus. There is no cure at present for long-term sufferers; most people just learn to live with it. Research into how tinnitus is generated is ongoing.

One popular theory into the condition relates to the way your hearing pathway works, and the way this interacts with the hearing part of the brain. This involves nerve signals between ear and brain and involves a complex filtering system to help you ‘tune in’ to the sounds you want to hear, whilst filtering out background noise. Your brain also has response systems to further influence what you hear. If someone calls your name, for example, in a crowded noisy room, you will hear your name.

It is the same with tinnitus. If the signal is weak your brain response systems will filter out the noise. In this case, most people won’t even notice it. However, if you do become aware of noises and you become anxious or irritated by it, you hearing systems will think it’s an ‘ok’ sound and will tune in to it, this in turn will mean you start to hear it even more. Some people can be more sensitive to everyday sounds than is normal.

If the noises are linked to a medical condition, an ear infection for example, then this can be treated which should improve the tinnitus. It can also be a side effect of medication in some cases. Emotional stress is also a known cause.

The first thing you should do is to go and see your doctor. They can check your ears for infection and excess wax. . If your condition is causing you distress or affecting your sleep tell your doctor you are having problems with it. Doctors are highly trained but they are not normally experts in tinnitus, so they may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist.

The specialist will be able to offer you counselling, they may also suggest relaxation or sound therapy. In some cases they may even recommend a hearing aid. Hearing aids can help by stopping your ears from straining to hear, this will allow your brain to pick up more background noises and hopefully then pay less attention to your tinnitus.

Another way to help your hearing system filter out tinnitus is sound therapy. This involves listening to a range of pleasant sounds like nature recordings. Because most sufferers hear noises during quiet periods, sound therapy fills in the silence with therapeutic sounds. Your brain is then distracted from your tinnitus noises making them less noticeable, this helps your hearing filters to make the noises less intrusive.

Some people find watching television or listening to music helpful. You can experiment with different types of music to see which one works best for you. The music shouldn’t be too loud or too emotional. Low background, easy listening music or nature noises at night may also help you sleep. A whole range of CD’s of this type are available.

Relaxation techniques can also help you to control tinnitus; your specialist will be able to advise you of any relaxation classes. These techniques should also help by reducing your anxiety and stress levels. Many people notice an increase in tinnitus during times of stress.

The information in this article is not medical advice, before acting on any of this information or undertaking any treatment, you are advised to seek advice from a medical professional or go and see your own doctor.

Former tinnitus sufferer reveals own system for tinnitus freedom. Find out more HERE