If you’re over age 55, there’s a 1 in 5 chance you deal with chronic ringing and buzzing in your ears that very likely has been a nuisance for years.
Audiologists and physicians who specialize in the physiology of hearing call it tinnitus (pronounced tin-EYE-tis). It’s the perception of “phantom noise” — sounds that are not really there.
Tinnitus is an auditory irritant for as many as 50 million Americans, 20 percent of whom are over age 55. Worldwide, it affects quality of life for an estimated 250 million people.
According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus is the No. 1 service-connected disability affecting U.S. military veterans from all periods of service.
“It’s a very common complaint, both for patients with and without some hearing loss,” said Maura Marks, an audiologist who heads up Speech-Language and Hearing Associates of Greater Boston. “Usually they are very anxious, depressed or having a hard time trying to cope.”
What triggers tinnitus remains a medical unknown. Exposure to loud noise, in a single episode or over time, is an obvious culprit — tinnitus is something of an occupational hazard for rock musicians exposed to blaring music and amplifiers. U2 frontman Bono, Eric Clapton, Ozzy Osbourne, Pete Townshend of The Who and Neil Young are all known to suffer from tinnitus.
The noises sufferers hear vary, from ringing, buzzing, clicking, whistling and hissing to a roaring similar to the sound made by breaking waves. For some, the noises are always there. For others, the sounds come and go and can vary in duration and intensity, affecting hearing and activities requiring quiet concentration, such as reading or falling asleep.
Like pain, tinnitus is subjective, which complicates efforts by audiology researchers to quantify or measure it. The Mayo Clinic’s ear specialists describe tinnitus not as a condition in itself, but as a symptom of other underlying problems, ranging from ear injury or infection to high blood pressure and age-related hearing loss.
Marks believes tinnitus is caused by damaged neurons that have become hyperactive. It’s not unlike how neurons damaged in amputations can cause amputees to feel pain in a “phantom limb” that is no longer there, she said.
“In the case of the ear, the response of those damaged neurons is perceived not as pain, but as sound,” Marks said.
The Mayo Clinic has found a link between tinnitus and post-traumatic stress disorder, a finding supported by
the Department of Veterans Affairs’ guidelines for health care providers who treat veterans’ hearing problems. The guidelines state that tinnitus is frequently triggered by psychological factors, such as bereavement, stress and anxiety.
Through 2011, more than 840,000 veterans were on the service-connected tinnitus roster. Military members are often exposed to engine and weapon noises as well as the loud detonation of improvised explosive devices.
While there is no shortage of herbal remedies on the market promising tinnitus relief, there is no known effective treatment or cure. The few prescription drugs that have been shown to sometimes turn down the volume on tinnitus come with potentially serious side effects.
“Very often, when people with tinnitus are fitted with a hearing aid for general hearing loss, they find it masks the tinnitus out,” said Amy Engler Booth, an audiologist and clinical faculty member at the University of Maine’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in Orono. “Sometimes it’s related to medications, and people can work with their physicians to see if a medication change is possible or would help.”
So-called “white noise” machines that simulate the sounds of ocean waves, falling rain and other soothing background sounds can be helpful, too. Marks sometimes prescribes “neuromonics” treatment, which delivers a soothing blend of white noise and music through a device similar to an MP3 player.
Marks also encourages people with tinnitus to avoid triggers, such as caffeine and alcohol.
Noisy stuff, my hearing aids don’t help at all (not even much in the way of hearing). Many years around aircraft will that to a guy.
I’ve found that if I just don’t think about it I don’t notice it. Too late now…ringgggg! Thanks BDN!
“That ringing in your ears could be tinnitus”. Just don’t try to answer it.
I try not to answer it, just like calls from telemarketers.
Don’t waste money on any of the over the counter remedies that are advertised. Limiting caffeine and alcohol has helped mine quite a bit. It’s worse at bedtime so I keep a radio and earphone handy- it distracts me so I can fall asleep.
I’ve had tinnitus in both ears for at least 26 years and learned about 5 years ago that a 1/2 gram pill of Lorazepam will minimize the ringing so that I can attend important events or meetings with minimal ringing. I have a prescription and use the drug very sparingly.
what? what? what?
In my case it is not Tinnitus it is Osham-a itus.
There is a two-part cure for your ailment: permanent confinement to a small room decorated with Ayn Rand portrait wallpaper while listening to an endless loop of Paul Ryan budget speeches delivered in his best sanctimonious style. That ought to do it.
Tinnitus, maybe? There are also many outside sources of noise. Ultra Low Frequency, Microwave Harmonics, and many other Pulse and Hum sources.
I find it most interesting that explanations of anything other than the “standard” tinnitus explanation are not researched.
There are several points on the globe that report many, unknown source, high and low frequency sound emissions. Check out the Auckland Hum and others of the like.
For a point of local interest, and a nice afternoon, take a drive around the exit 217 and about an 8 mile radius. Listen and find out if that hum is “tinnitus”.
It is my theory that the sound originates from the hydro dam or the old chip to electric plant. Not from the “Greys”
I’ve had this issue as far back as I can remember. As a child I asked my mom about the noises I hear in my head that nobody else seems to hear. She told me not to EVER tell anybody about hearing things that aren’t there! Good ole mom. :)
Some one answer the phone?
They can research out everything but this, and despite the widespread affliction, Medicare doesn’t cover it.
Always had a slight noise, then fell on my back on ice and fractured two vertebra several years ago, and it really kicked in with both a steady ringing and odd background sounds…..and my internist had theories but my view is that pressure in sinus cavities is the primary culprit…ruled out nodes in ear, etc.
Sometimes I’ll wake up and while you’re first waking from sleep, I’ll notice how quiet it is, then it kicks in. You’d think someone would find out why what the cause it? …oh, got nothing from several of those tinnitus herbal pills.
I’ve had it for about 10 years. Work related more then military I suspect. It only really hear it when I think about it.