tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. A common problem, tinnitus affects about 1 in 5 people. Tinnitus isn't a condition itself — it's a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder.
Tinnitus involves the annoying sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. Tinnitus symptoms include these types of phantom noises in your ears:
Ringing
Buzzing
Roaring
Clicking
Hissing
The phantom noise may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears. In some cases, the sound can be so loud it can interfere with your ability to concentrate or hear actual sound. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go.
Causes of tinnitus:
Age related hearing loss
Exposure to loud noise
Ear blockage i.e. wax, foreign bodies, fluid behind the eardrum
Stiffening of bones in the middle ear (otosclerosis)
Meniere’s disease
Problems with the temporal-mandibular joint - where your lower jawbone meets your skull
Head or neck injuries that disrupts the inner ear, hearing nerve or brain function linked to hearing
Acoustic neuroma – a noncancerous tumour that grows on the hearing nerve
With age and build-up of cholesterol and other deposits, major blood vessels close to your middle and inner ear lose some of their elasticity (atherosclerosis). That causes blood flow to become more forceful, making it easier for your ear to detect the beats.
High blood pressure and factors that increase blood pressure, such as stress, alcohol and caffeine, can make tinnitus more noticeable.
Some medications like:
Antibiotics, including polymyxin B, erythromycin, vancomycin and neomycin
Cancer medications, including mechlorethamine and vincristine
Water pills (diuretics), such as bumetanide, ethacrynic acid or furosemide
Quinine medications used for malaria or other health conditions
Certain antidepressants may worsen tinnitus
Aspirin taken in uncommonly high doses (usually 12 or more a day)
Treatment for tinnitus:
Treating the underlying health condition – like removing wax, treating high blood pressure or changing medications that may be the cause.
White noise - simulating environmental sounds such as falling rain or ocean waves, are often an effective treatment for tinnitus. You may want to try a white noise machine with pillow speakers to help you sleep. Fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners in the bedroom also may help cover the internal noise at night.
Hearing aids can be helpful if you have hearing problems as well as tinnitus.
Masking devices worn in the ear and similar to hearing aids, these devices produce a continuous, low-level white noise that suppresses tinnitus symptoms.
Tinnitus retraining - A wearable device delivers individually programmed tonal music to mask the specific frequencies of the tinnitus you experience. Over time, this technique may accustom you to the tinnitus, thereby helping you not to focus on it. Counselling is often a component of tinnitus retraining.
Medications can't cure tinnitus, but in some cases they may help reduce the severity of symptoms or complications.
Alternative medicine may be helpful and includes:
Acupuncture
Hypnosis
Ginkgo biloba
Zinc supplements
B vitamins
Stress management, whether through relaxation therapy, biofeedback or exercise, may provide some relief.
Avoid irritants like alcohol, nicotine, loud noises and caffeine.
Where to get help:
NZ Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Support Network
Phone: 09 923 6316
www.tinnitus.org.nz
Life Unlimited Hearing Therapy Services
Phone: 0800 008 011
www.lifeunlimited.net.nz
Hearing and Tinnitus Clinic Auckland University
Phone: 09 923 9909
Your Audiologist