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Tinnitus

Is this your symptom?

You hear noises in your ear(s) or in your head when there is nothing around you making the sound
May be in one or both ears. You notice it more when it is quiet or at night.
The noise may be constant or come-and-go

Causes of Tinnitus

Age related hearing loss. About half of people age 60 and older will have a degree of hearing loss. It can be mild to severe. It usually comes on slowly over a period of years. The cause might not be clear, but could be linked to:
- Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) affecting the blood vessels that supply the parts of the ear used in hearing
- Exposure to loud noise over the years (a noisy workplace or hobby) or a single very loud noise (loud music at rock concerts, gun fire, an explosion).
- Exposure to some medicines
- Smoking
- Genetics
Ear Wax. See Ear Congestion care guide.
Meniere's Disease affects the inner part of the ear. It most often starts to affect people aged 40 to 60 years. It often starts in one ear, but can go on to affect both. Symptoms are dulled hearing, dizziness (vertigo), tinnitus and a feeling of ear pressure. Attacks come and go and can last from minutes to hours. Severity can vary. Tinnitus and some hearing loss may become permanent.
Underlying Health Problems such as iron deficiency anemia, thyroid disease and diabetes can be linked with tinnitus. Your doctor will be able to rule these out as a cause or start the right treatment.
Ear Infection. Middle ear pus can also cause muffled hearing on that side. It may also cause tinnitus.
Otosclerosis affects the tiny bones which are behind the ear drum that allow us to hear sounds. It usually starts between ages 15 and 35 years and can affect one or both ears. It is not caused by exposure to loud noise. It is more common in women and can get worse during pregnancy. Symptoms include hearing loss, hearing better in a noisy environment and tinnitus.
Pulsatile Tinnitus (may be serious) is a rhythmic tinnitus noise. It pulses at the same time as the heartbeat. It is caused by a change in blood flow in the blood vessels near the ear. There are a number of causes (anemia, overactive thyroid or fluid behind the eardrum). Tumors of the head and neck can also be a cause. It is important to see you doctor if you have pulsatile tinnitus in one or both ears.

When to Call for Tinnitus

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Noise started after a recent ear or head injury
Loss of balance makes it hard to stand
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Earache
Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

You have tinnitus which beats in time with your pulse (heartbeat)
Hearing loss or ringing in the ears is constant OR comes and goes
Tinnitus is getting worse
Hearing loss has come on slowly over months or years
You find it hard to cope with the symptoms. It disturbs sleep, your ability to focus, or makes you feel anxious or depressed.
Your ear feels congested. It could be blocked with wax.
You are taking medicine that can cause tinnitus (such as aspirin or meds for anxiety, depression, acne, some antibiotics, blood pressure and other)
Mild tinnitus in both ears. May only hear the ringing at night or in quiet room.
You have other questions or concerns

Care Advice

What You Should Know about Tinnitus:

Tinnitus is a symptom rather than a disease.
It may sound like ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing or music.
You cannot turn the tinnitus off or move away from it.
It affect people differently. Some are not bothered by it. Others find it very annoying. It can stop them enjoying life and keep them from social activities.
It has many different causes and needs to be checked by your doctor. Sometimes no cause is found.
It can be caused by medicines you are taking: aspirin, some antibiotics, blood pressure meds, some chemotherapy drugs, etc.
There is no easy cure for tinnitus, but there are things that can help you cope.
Here is some care advice that should help.

Medicine Advice:

Talk to your doctor about any medicines you take (prescribed or over-the-counter) that may be causing the tinnitus.
You doctor may suggest an antidepressant if the tinnitus is causing you to feel anxious or depressed.

Alternative Sounds:

Focusing on sound other than the tinnitus can be a great help for some people.
Avoid being in quiet or silent rooms. You are more likely to focus on the tinnitus when there is nothing else to listen to.
Listen to pleasant sounds such as music you enjoy or watch a video. Listen to sounds in your outdoor spaces, such as bird songs or running water. There are many relaxing sounds you can access via apps.
Set a timer on a radio or music player when you go to bed, so the sound distracts you until you fall asleep.
If you have some hearing loss, even if slight, a hearing aid might help. The hearing aid boosts the normal sounds and distracts you from the tinnitus.

Relaxation:

If you are stressed or anxious due to your tinnitus, it may help to learn to relax and manage stress.

Specialty Clinics:

Check to see if there is a tinnitus clinic in your area. These offer counselling and advice and teach you how to cope with living with tinnitus.

What to Expect:

Tinnitus may improve on its own, with or without treatment.
Many people with tinnitus get better within 5 years.
It may become less of a problem (less frequent or severe) as time goes on.

Call Your Doctor If:

Tinnitus is bothersome or makes it hard to enjoy life
You think you need to be seen
Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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