Tinnitus is that ringing, buzzing, hissing or whooshing sound in the ears that no one else can hear. For some, it’s a mild nuisance. For others, it can mess with sleep, focus and peace of mind.
While the cause behind tinnitus is not always clear, there are a few common culprits.
Common Causes Behind Tinnitus
Understanding what may be behind tinnitus can help guide your symptom management. A few common causes include:
- Hearing loss. With healthy hearing, your brain is used to consistent sound input. When hearing loss reduces the amount of sound reaching your brain, it causes it to make its own sound in the form of tinnitus.
- Ear infections or blockages. A buildup of earwax or a middle ear infection can cause temporary hearing loss, leading to tinnitus symptoms.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. One 2019 study found that patients with severe tinnitus were more likely to report TMJ complaints (36%) compared to those with less severe or no tinnitus (19%), suggesting a link between TMJ issues and increased tinnitus severity. Patients with both conditions may experience headaches, neck pain and the ability to change their tinnitus by moving their jaw. The findings suggest that addressing TMJ disorders and stress could be beneficial in managing some tinnitus cases.
- Ototoxic medications. Ototoxic medications can damage the ear, resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus. Some of these medications include those used to treat cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and serious infections.
Your Tinnitus Management Options
Symptom management starts with identifying the underlying cause. For example, if it’s related to TMJ, physical therapy, bite guards or stress reduction techniques might help.
In addition to addressing the underlying cause, your hearing specialist may recommend one or more of the following strategies for managing tinnitus as a whole:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a talk therapy that helps you manage the emotional response to tinnitus. Working with a licensed therapist, you’ll learn ways to change how you think about and respond to the sound.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT). TRT combines sound therapy with counseling from an audiologist. The goal is to help your brain gradually tune out the tinnitus, making it less bothersome over time.
- Hearing aids. Many modern hearing aids come with built-in sound masking features. These can help reduce the impact of tinnitus by distracting the brain from the ringing. Hearing aids are a great on-the-go masking option, providing tinnitus relief whether you’re at DaéBreak Café, at work or relaxing at home.
- Sound machines. Like hearing aids, sound machines mask the internal ringing of tinnitus. They are beneficial at night if tinnitus disrupts your sleep.
If tinnitus is a constant presence in your life, contact Advanced Hearing today to schedule an evaluation with one of our specialists.