If you hear a ‘ringing’ in your ears – then you’re not alone. Celebs like Jamie Laing, Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, and even Gerard Butler are said to suffer with it.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it. Many people describe it as a ‘ringing’ or ‘buzzing’ noise which can vary from being quiet to extremely loud.
According to Hiddenhearing, Butler – a much loved Scottish actor – had “surgery as a child that left his right ear physically deformed. This has led to lifelong tinnitus and hearing loss in that ear, which he says is responsible for his smile appearing crooked in photos.”
According to NIDCD, people may even hear a ‘roaring’ noise – and the condition is very “common with surveys estimating that 10 to 25% of adults have it.” Children can also have it and whilst for some it goes away, for other it stays and gets worse. If you have it for three months or longer, it is considered “chronic.”
What is the causes of tinnitus?
It is not known what causes it but experts think “most people who have it have some degree of hearing loss.” Whilst for many it won’t affect their daily life, in other who have “severe cases, tinnitus can lead to anxiety or depression.”
One expert at hiddenhearing said: “Many people experience tinnitus after being exposed to loud noise in a workplace setting or at a sporting event or concert. Tinnitus is also the most common service-related disability among veterans because of loud noise they may have experienced from gunfire, machinery, bomb blasts, or other similar sources.”
Other causes could be due to a side effect of taking certain medications, especially if they are taken at high doses. It could also be due to earwax or an ear infection as well as a head or neck injury.
Less common tinnitus risk factors include:
- Ménière’s disease: Tinnitus can be a symptom of Ménière’s disease, an inner ear disorder that can also cause balance problems and hearing loss.
- Jaw joint problems: The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull is close to the ear. Jaw clenching or tooth grinding can damage surrounding tissue, causing or worsening tinnitus.
- Tumor-related disorders: A vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) is a benign tumor on a nerve that leads from the inner ear to the brain. Acoustic neuromas and other head, neck, and brain tumors can cause tinnitus.
- Blood vessel problems: High blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or malformations in blood vessels, especially if they are in or close to the ear, can alter blood flow and cause tinnitus.
- Chronic conditions: Diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders, anemia, and certain autoimmune disorders such as lupus and multiple sclerosis are among the chronic conditions that have been linked to tinnitus.
“While there are many possible causes of tinnitus, some people develop it for no known reason,” the expert added.
What’s the cure for tinnitus?
Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are ways to reduce symptoms. Common approaches include the use of sound therapy devices (including hearing aids), behavioral therapies, and medications.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
Tinnitus symptoms can differ from person to person, with phantom sounds occurring in one ear, both ears, or inside the head. These sounds may resemble a buzz, roar, whistle, hum, click, hiss or squeal and can be constant or intermittent.
“Sometimes, moving your head, neck, or eyes, or touching certain parts of your body may produce tinnitus symptoms or temporarily change the quality of the perceived sound. This is called somatosensory (pronounced so-ma-toe-SENSE-uh-ree) tinnitus”, the expert noted.
Why do I hear a ringing noise in my head?
One theory that you hear this sound – or another of the listed noises – is due damage to your inner ear. When this happens, it changes the signal carried by nerves to the parts of your brain that process sound.
How is tinnitus diagnosed?
Your GP might examine your ears for earwax buildup or fluid from an infection that could be obstructing your ear canal. They may also ask about your medical history to determine if an underlying condition or medication could be contributing to your symptoms.
Following this, you will likely be referred to an otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT) for further evaluation. An audiologist may also assess your hearing and analyse your tinnitus.
NIDCD explain: “The ENT may order imaging tests, especially if your tinnitus pulsates. Imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or ultrasound can help reveal whether a structural problem or underlying medical condition is causing your tinnitus.”