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Hearing loss and Tinnitus
Sometimes referred to as “ringing in the ears,” tinnitus affects over 749 million people worldwide*. Although some people can ignore their tinnitus most of the time, leaving it untreated can strain your well-being.
Is tinnitus causing stress, concentration problems, sleeplessness, social isolation, or depression? Consult with a hearing care provider to get yourself on the path to better treatment.
How we hear and the link to Tinnitus
Hearing sound works by sound waves entering your ear canal. These waves vibrate your ear drum, which in turn, moves three small bones, striking the cochlea. The snail-shaped cochlea is full of small bundles of hair cells and fluid. As the fluid ripples, the hair cell bundles vibrate, releasing neurotransmitters. This creates an electrical signal in the auditory nerve cells, which travel to your brain. This is then classified as information.
When the hair cell bundles are damaged inside the cochlea, this can cause tinnitus – or the ringing in the ears. If there is damage along the path, tinnitus may be the result.
14%
of adults worldwide experience tinnitus, with prevalence increasing with age. Notably, about 2% of adults experience severe tinnitus, significantly impacting daily life**.
This chronic condition can be connected to a sudden explosion of sound or long-term hearing loss. Those with tinnitus have reported experiencing sinusitis, blows to the head, neck injuries, damage to the jaw, the hardening of bones in the ears, damage to nerves involved in hearing sound, brain circulation and ear wax blockage. Tinnitus is a complex medical condition when the cause may not be clear or evident.
What causes Tinnitus
The main cause of tinnitus is usually some type of damage to the tiny hair cells inside your inner ear. These cells help send sound signals to your brain. When they get damaged—often from loud noises, like listening to music at max volume, being around machinery, or even a single blast of a loud sound—your brain starts getting mixed signals. That’s when it can make up its own “noise,” which is why you hear ringing or buzzing even when it's quiet.
- Aging is another reason people get tinnitus. As we get older, our hearing naturally starts to decline, and that can lead to these strange sounds.
- Tinnitus can also come from ear infections, earwax buildup, certain medications, or even stress.
- Health Conditions: Disorders such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or thyroid problems are linked to tinnitus.
- Exposure to Loud Noise: Prolonged exposure to loud sounds, such as music, machinery, or explosions, can damage inner ear hair cells, leading to tinnitus.
Find a provider near you to help with Tinnitus: Enter your ZIP code or city on our Find a Provider map to connect with a hearing care specialist today!
Types of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a relatively common condition, and there are several varieties. These varieties may all have different causes, and your experience with tinnitus may be totally different from a friend who also has tinnitus.
Acute Tinnitus
Acute tinnitus is the type of ringing or buzzing that comes on suddenly and is short-term, usually lasting less than three months. It’s often triggered by something temporary, like being at a loud concert, getting an ear infection, or having earwax buildup. In many cases, this kind of tinnitus fades on its own once the underlying issue is resolved. Think of it as your ear’s way of saying, “Whoa, something’s not quite right,” but it can calm down pretty quickly.
Chronic Tinnitus
Chronic tinnitus is the long-lasting kind. If you’ve been hearing that persistent noise for more than three months, it’s considered chronic. This type of tinnitus can stick around and, in some cases, become a permanent part of your life. It may require more in-depth treatment or management strategies, like sound therapy or hearing aids, to help reduce its impact.
Subjective Tinnitus
Most people who experience tinnitus have what’s called subjective tinnitus. This means that only you can hear the ringing or buzzing—it’s not detectable by anyone else, including a doctor. It’s a sensation generated by your auditory system, often due to damage in the ear or changes in how the brain processes sound. This type is the most common form of tinnitus, and while it can be frustrating, there are ways to manage it.
Objective Tinnitus
Objective tinnitus is a bit different from the more common forms of tinnitus because it’s not just in your head—other people can hear it too, like a doctor using special instruments. This type of tinnitus is pretty rare and is usually caused by a physical issue within your body, like problems with blood flow or muscle contractions near the ear.
These types of tinnitus all result from different causes. Sometimes the cause of tinnitus is a mystery, while other times it can be connected.
What to expect at your first appointment
Going to your first appointment for tinnitus might feel a bit daunting, but it’s actually a pretty straightforward and helpful process! Here’s what you can expect:
Step 1. Talking with a hearing care professional
The first step will be a conversation about your tinnitus. Your hearing care professional will ask questions like:
- When did you first notice the ringing or buzzing?
- Is it constant or does it come and go?
- Have you been exposed to loud noises or had ear infections recently?
Be honest and share any details, even if they seem small. This helps your doctor understand the potential causes.
Step 2. Taking a hearing test
You’ll likely have a hearing test to see how well your ears are functioning. This might involve wearing headphones and listening to different sounds or pitches to check for any hearing loss. It’s painless, and it’s a key part of figuring out if your tinnitus is related to hearing damage.
Step 3. Having an ear exam
Your hearing care professional will probably examine your ears, head, and neck. They’ll be looking for signs of earwax buildup, infections, or anything that might be physically affecting your ear, like an injury. This quick check helps rule out any obvious issues.
Step 4. Discussing your results
Once the exam is done, your hearing care professional will talk to you about what they’ve found. If they can pinpoint the cause of your tinnitus—whether it’s from hearing loss, ear infections, or another issue—they’ll discuss treatment options with you. These could range from simple solutions, like earwax removal, to sound therapy or other specialized treatments.
Step 5. Asking questions
Don’t be shy about asking questions! If you're unsure about anything or need more information about treatments, now’s the time to ask. The more you understand, the easier it will be to manage your tinnitus.
Overall, your first appointment is all about figuring out what’s causing your tinnitus and creating a plan to help you find relief. It’s the first step toward feeling better!
How hearing aids can help
Hearing aids can be a game-changer if you have tinnitus, especially if it’s linked to hearing loss. When your hearing fades, your brain has to work harder to pick up sounds, and sometimes it fills in the gaps with its own noises—hello, ringing! Hearing aids help by boosting the sounds you actually want to hear, like voices and everyday noises. With these real sounds coming through loud and clear, your brain isn’t left with as much room to create those annoying phantom sounds. So, for a lot of people, hearing aids can seriously cut down on tinnitus.
Key features of Phonak hearing aids
- Wireless Connectivity: Seamlessly connects with your hearing aid to transmit sounds wirelessly.
- Discreet Design: Small, lightweight, and nearly invisible when worn.
- Advanced Sound Processing: Delivers clear, high-quality sound for better speech understanding and environmental awareness.
- Rechargeable Options: Available in rechargeable models for all-day use without the hassle of changing batteries.
Phonak hearing aids
Phonak offers a range of hearing aids with advanced features designed to help manage tinnitus and improve overall hearing. Explore our solutions now.
Take the online hearing test
An online hearing test is a quick and easy way to get a snapshot of your hearing health from the comfort of home. It’s not a full diagnosis, but it can give you helpful insights and let you know if it’s time to see a specialist for a more thorough check.
Finding a hearing care provider
Finding a hearing care provider is the first step toward improving your hearing and tackling tinnitus. A provider can give you a full hearing evaluation, help you explore hearing aid options, and guide you in choosing the best solution for your needs.
