Sound advice to tackle the loud ringing in your ears

When folksinger Phil Ochs crooned, “What’s that I hear now ringing in my ear/ I’ve heard that sound before/ What’s that I hear now ringing in my ear/I hear it more and more,” he wasn’t describing tinnitus, but he could have been. (He was describing the push for civil rights.)

Tinnitus is a continuous or pulsating sound only you can hear; it’s often described as ringing, hissing, static, screeching, whooshing, roaring or buzzing.

Research indicates tinnitus affects about 10 per cent of adults and of those 25 per cent have had it for 15-plus years.

For most, it’s temporary, but for others it produces a din that interferes with thinking, sleeping and even conversation. What causes it? It may come from overexposure to loud noises/hearing loss; innerear issues; wax buildup; head or neck trauma; temporomandibular joint disorder; sinus problems; taking prescription or illicit drugs; high blood pressure; or thyroid disease.

Only around half of sufferers mention it to their doctor and they’re often told medication and herbal supplements may be helpful.

However, the American Academy of Otolaryngology guidelines explicitly state cognitive behavioural therapy and hearing aids are the most effective approaches available.

And newer treatment options are being actively studied.

If you’re plagued by persistent in-your-head white noise, ask your doctor about treatment options and/or a referral to a tinnitus specialist.