What is Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sound—commonly described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking—when no external noise is present. It can occur in one or both ears, be constant or intermittent, and vary in pitch and volume. When tinnitus persists for three months or more, it is classified as chronic and may require intervention to manage its impact on daily life
Causes of Tinnitus
As the cochlea’s hair cells deteriorate with age, the brain may compensate by “creating” phantom sounds
Prolonged or sudden exposure to loud sounds (concerts, machinery) can injure inner-ear structures, triggering tinnitus
Excess cerumen can press against the eardrum or hearing instruments, causing or exacerbating tinnitus
Certain drugs (e.g., high-dose aspirin, some antibiotics) can damage auditory pathways and induce tinnitus
Conditions like hypertension or atherosclerosis can create turbulent blood flow in vessels near the ear, perceived as pulsatile tinnitus
Types and Symptoms
Heard only by the patient; the most common form, linked to auditory-nerve activity
Rare; can be heard by an examiner with a stethoscope, often vascular or muscular in origin
Rhythmic noise in time with the heartbeat, suggesting vascular involvement
Continuous or intermittent sounds not synchronized with pulse
Common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress such as anxiety or depression when tinnitus is severe.
Understanding the Impact on Inner Ear Hair Cells
Inside our inner ear lies the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ lined with tiny hair cells. These cells play a crucial role in translating sound vibrations into electrical signals that our brain interprets as sound.
When exposed to loud noises, especially over extended periods, these delicate hair cells can become overstimulated and damaged. Unfortunately, once damaged, these cells do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss and conditions like tinnitus.
Tips for Safe Earbud Use
Follow the 60/60 rule: Listen at no more than 60% of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
Use noise-cancelling earbuds: These can help reduce the need to increase volume in noisy environments.
Take regular breaks: Give your ears time to rest and recover.
Stay informed: Regular hearing check-ups can help detect early signs of hearing loss.
See how loud sounds Impact your hearing!
Diagnosis and Evaluation
A thorough evaluation by an audiologist includes:
1. Medical & Otoscopic Exam: To detect earwax, infections, or structural issues.
2. Pure-Tone & Speech Audiometry: To assess hearing thresholds and speech-understanding ability
3. Tympanometry: To evaluate middle-ear pressure and eardrum mobility
4. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE): To measure cochlear hair-cell function
5. Questionnaires & Tinnitus Matching: To quantify tinnitus loudness, pitch, and handicap .
Treatment Options
Treatment of ear infections, blood-pressure control, or earwax removal can sometimes eliminate tinnitus
We provide advanced hearing aids that amplify ambient sounds to mask tinnitus, and specialized sound-masking devices or apps that deliver white noise, nature sounds, or customized tinnitus-masking signals
CBT helps reframe negative thoughts about tinnitus, reducing distress and improving quality of life. Studies show CBT decreases tinnitus-related anxiety by up to 50%
TRT combines directive counseling with sound enrichment to habituate the brain to tinnitus signals over 12–18 months, leading to perceptual fading of tinnitus
While no drug cures tinnitus, certain medications (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants) can ease associated anxiety or sleep issues. Complementary therapies—acupuncture, mindfulness, biofeedback—may offer additional relief for some patients
