Waterloo Region Record

Understand­ing tinnitus and how to live with it

- MAYO CLINIC NEWS NETWORK

Q: What causes tinnitus, and is there anything that can be done to get rid of it?

A: Tinnitus — the sensation of hearing a sound when no external sound is present — often is described as a ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, humming, pulsing or hissing sound, or any combinatio­n of these sounds. You may hear it in one or both ears. The sound may be present all the time or off and on.

If you have tinnitus that doesn’t go away, a hearing evaluation is recommende­d. In most cases, tinnitus can be managed fully. But for some, it’s a chronic condition that can affect sleep and everyday function. Fortunatel­y, there are options to reduce its effects.

The cause of tinnitus is unknown. One idea is that tinnitus results from damage to the cells of the inner ear. This stems from the fact that about 90 per cent of people with tinnitus have some hearing loss caused by noise.

The tiny, delicate hairs in your inner ear move in relation to the pressure of sound waves. This movement triggers the release of an electrical signal through your auditory nerve to your brain. Your brain normally interprets these signals as sound. If the hairs inside your inner ear are damaged, bent or broken, they may release random electrical impulses to your brain, resulting in tinnitus.

In many people, tinnitus has been linked to hearing loss — both age- and noise-related. It can occur from earwax blockage, from bone changes in the middle ear (otoscleros­is) and as a sideeffect of a number of medication­s. Other conditions associated with tinnitus include head trauma or a concussion; inner ear conditions, such as Meniere’s disease or an acoustic neuroma; head or neck injuries; or problems with the joint where your lower jawbone meets your skull (temporoman­dibular joint). High blood pressure and factors that increase blood pressure, such as stress, alcohol use and caffeine consumptio­n can make tinnitus more noticeable.

Although there’s no known cure for most cases of tinnitus, many people can manage it. For most, the goal is to lessen their awareness of symptoms. If tinnitus is due to a health condition, your health-care provider may be able to recommend steps that could reduce the noise. This may involve removing excess earwax, treating an underlying vascular condition or changing medication­s if one is contributi­ng to the problem.

Hearing aids also can help. Properly fitting hearing aids can address hearing loss. And tinnitus sometimes can be reduced if you can better hear sounds around you. In some cases, white noise (masking) may help suppress tinnitus so that it’s less bothersome.

Although there is no approved drug to cure tinnitus, in some cases, medication­s, such as certain antidepres­sants, may reduce the severity of symptoms. Ongoing, research-focused tinnitus suppressio­n and management solutions are underway.

Finally, a licensed therapist can help you develop coping techniques. Support groups also are available in person and online.

Exercise and relaxation therapy also may help, as stress can worsen tinnitus.

 ??  ?? Tinnitus is often described as a ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, humming, pulsing or hissing sound in the ears.
Tinnitus is often described as a ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, humming, pulsing or hissing sound in the ears.

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