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You’re at home, trying to enjoy
some quiet time alone, but all you can focus on is the maddening
buzzing sound in your head. Or perhaps you saw one of your
favorite music bands perform last week, and yet your ears are
still ringing. It can be
a noisy world out there, and for people with tinnitus, excessive
sound can be more than just a nuisance. An estimated 50 million
people have tinnitus. Among adults age 65 and older in the
United States, 12.3 percent of men and nearly 14 percent of
women are affected by tinnitus, according to the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). The most common reason for tinnitus
is exposure to excessive noise.
“People often confuse tinnitus
and think that it’s a disease,” says Richard Bryarly, M.D., an
otolaryngologist at The Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC). “But
that’s actually not true. In fact, tinnitus is simply a term we
use to describe a symptom that can be caused by a variety of
potential factors.” |
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Tinnitus sources
Exposure to loud noises can damage
or even destroy hair cells called cilia in the inner ear. Once
damaged, these cells cannot be renewed or replaced. Physical
trauma to the head and neck can induce tinnitus, and certain
disorders, such as fibromyalgia, can have tinnitus as a symptom.
Other potential sources of tinnitus include certain types of
tumors, wax buildup, jaw misalignment, cardiovascular disease,
and ototoxicity, in which certain medicines may damage the ears
and produce tinnitus as a side effect.
Loud noise exposure is the most
common symptom, and experts believe tinnitus is an early
indicator of hearing loss. Approximately 17 percent of American
adults, or 36 million, report some degree of hearing loss,
according to the NIH.
How loud is too loud?
Limiting exposure to loud
noises can help limit the potential for tinnitus. Sounds are
measured in decibels. A ticking watch registers about 20
decibels, while a roaring jet engine hits about 130 decibels. In
the middle of those two extremes is a normal human conversation,
which has a sound intensity of between 50 and 60 decibels.
Exposure to noises above 85 decibels can damage the ear and lead
to hearing loss, so if you know you’ll be going to a concert,
sporting event, or other loud situation, wear foam earplugs, Dr.
Bryarly recommends. When shooting firearms, ear protection
should be worn.
“In general, it’s a good idea
to turn down the volume and do what you can to protect your
ears,” Dr. Bryarly says. “Beyond tinnitus, you may risk
permanent hearing loss if you expose yourself to loud noises too
often.”
What is particularly difficult
about tinnitus is that only the person who has tinnitus can hear
the buzzing, ringing, and screeching sounds, Dr. Bryarly
explains. The sounds may even come and go, or get louder or
quieter at random intervals. However, there are several
treatments available, depending on the source. And when tinnitus
is a symptom of another disorder, treating the disorder can help
alleviate the tinnitus, Dr. Bryarly adds.
Treatment options
If you think you may be
experiencing tinnitus, speak with your physician first, because
they may be able to help find the best solution, says Dr.
Bryarly.
Tinnitus treatments are not limited to preventative measures,
either. For some people, sound therapy may lessen tinnitus
through the use of hearing aid devices that produce special
sounds to drown out the tinnitus. Other possible treatments
include cognitive therapy in which patients receive counseling
to help them deal with tinnitus, or drug therapy to help treat
the issue. There is no specific drug for tinnitus but some drugs
have been effective, including anti-anxiety drugs,
antidepressants, and antihistamines.
“Tinnitus can be a maddening
condition, but it’s not something you should have to get used to
living with,” he says. “There are many treatments available now
that can reduce, if not eliminate, tinnitus.” |
