What is tinnitus? Is it pronounced TINN-itus or tin-EYE-tus? What does it sound like, exactly? What causes it? Can you turn it off? How bad is it?
We’re here to answer questions about tinnitus. Let’s discuss this complicated phenomenon.
(And by the way, both pronunciations are correct.)
The Sound of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a completely subjective phenomenon: there’s no physical source to the sound, and no one else can hear it but you. It is, truly, all in your head. This means tinnitus can sound like many things, but it is most commonly described as ringing, buzzing, whooshing or humming, and some people even hear music.
The sound can vary in intensity, and it varies from person to person. Approximately 50 million people experience tinnitus. For some of them, it is a mild, infrequent nuisance at worst. For others, it is debilitating; it causes significant distress, affects mood and disrupts sleep.
Causes of Tinnitus
Incidentally, tinnitus is not a condition in and of itself; rather, it is a symptom of another condition or side effect of something else. Here are some things that have been linked to tinnitus:
- Hearing loss
- Noise exposure
- Ear blockage
- Jaw issues
- Cardiovascular issues
- Injury or trauma to the head or neck
- Certain medications, known as ototoxic medications
Tinnitus Triggers
While some people hear tinnitus constantly throughout the day, others hear it in episodes, often triggered by something. Even people who hear it all day might notice changes in tone or intensity when exposed to a tinnitus trigger. Here are some common things that might trigger a tinnitus flare-up.
- Loud noise
- Silence
- Weather
- Stress
- Poor sleep
- Diet and hydration
Finding Relief from Tinnitus
We specialize in several coping techniques and therapies that can reduce the perception of tinnitus, such as acoustic therapy or tinnitus retraining therapy. There are also at-home coping techniques that some people find very helpful. To learn more about tinnitus relief and management, give us a call at Aspen Audiology and schedule a tinnitus evaluation!