Tinnitus

Tinnitus isn’t nice, and listening to loud music is believed to be one of its main causes. So, what is tinnitus? Read on as we explain all you need to know and how to get help if you’re suffering.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is described as a whistling, buzzing or ringing noise that has no apparent source. For some, the noise is a constant irritation, while others may find it comes and goes. The precise cause has yet to be fully understood. Although no overall cure is currently available, there are some treatments for tinnitus that can make living with the condition more bearable. It isn’t regarded as a disease, however, more a symptom of any number of ear disorders.

What causes tinnitus?

Exposure to loud music or other noise is perhaps the most common cause of tinnitus, and carries a risk of permanent ear damage too. It doesn’t have to be a concert or a club night that does it. Tinnitus is an occupational hazard as well, so if you drill holes in the road for a living, or work in a rowdy pub, you’d be wise to wear ear-plugs. Some regular concert-goers and DJs choose to use ear-plugs as well.

Do I have tinnitus?

Almost everyone experiences some form of hearing loss or interference after exposure to loud noise. Normally it fades after a few minutes, but for some the condition can be more troubling. If you experience any kind of constant or recurring sound in the ear/s, and it’s getting in the way of your life, you can count yourself as a tinnitus sufferer.

Is there a cure for tinnitus?

People with tinnitus often try to mask the noise with other sounds. What works is down to the individual, but anything from low-level music to specific tones and just keeping busy can bring some relief. If you think you have tinnitus then see your GP, as you may find it’s caused by something treatable. If not, your doc can help devise ways of living and/or sleeping with the noise, as well as recommending a suitable counsellor or support group if the din is driving you to distraction.

Therapy and treatment for tinnitus

One way of treating tinnitus is using the brain’s inability to filter out unimportant sensory information. Essentially this is a learned habit, so you can actually re-teach yourself not to hear the ringing sound. Once examinations into the possible physical causes of tinnitus have been exhausted, the next step would be a referral to an audiological physician (if your health authority has one). They generally use a technique called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT).

A reader asks, ‘What is tinnitus’?

Take a look at the question below from one of our readers and check out our expert response for a real-life example of the effects of tinnitus and the support available if you’re suffering from it.

“I’ve had a ringing sound in my ears for several months. My GP recently diagnosed it as a condition called tinnitus. Is this something I’ve just picked up, and will it ever go away?”

Although the causes of tinnitus are not very well understood, we know that it’s generally related to hearing disorders. If the tinnitus cannot be pinpointed to one specific physical cause, then often it cannot be cured. However, there are ways that tinnitus can be controlled so the impact on your life is minimised, such as with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy as mentioned above.

Looking after your health with tinnitus

There are several ways that you can help yourself to deal with your tinnitus. According to The British Tinnitus Association (BTA), it’s easier to get on top of your tinnitus when you’re feeling otherwise well in yourself. So, it might be worth making sure that your general health has been taken care of, and that any unresolved issues, such as depression or anxiety are dealt with. You may then find the effects of your tinnitus are reduced.

Other possible treatments for tinnitus

The BTA also provides useful information relating to possible treatments for tinnitus. These include making sure that you avoid total silence (you may wish to listen to music as you go to sleep) and trying to build your tinnitus into a mental picture. They do stress that the most important factor is trying to remain calm; the more stressed you become the more your tinnitus will affect your quality of life.

For more information, support and advice, contact BTA on 0800 018 0527.