Some 10% to 15% of people experience something called tinnitus—more commonly known as “ringing in the ears.” In addition to ringing, it can also take the form of hissing or buzzing. Whatever the sound, tinnitus is essentially a sound someone hears even though there is nothing around that is generating the sound.
Many of us have experienced at least a brief episode of tinnitus somewhere along the way; for instance, perhaps your ears have rung for a day or so after a particularly loud concert or sporting event.
That represents one level of tinnitus. It can be temporary and annoying. It can be persistent and distracting. It can even be chronic and debilitating (such a level is not, however, the norm).
It isn’t a medical condition in and of itself, but tinnitus is an important symptom indicating that something else is wrong. Tinnitus has a wide variety of causes, but it is most commonly attributed to the onset of hearing loss, inner-ear injury due to loud noises, or physical trauma.
While it poses no danger on its own, tinnitus isn’t something that should be taken lightly, especially when hearing loss is also involved. Patients with tinnitus and hearing loss often report psychological problems, such as frustration, annoyance, distress, irritability and anxiety.
Keep in mind, though, as mentioned above, that tinnitus is a symptom, not a medical condition. So, if the condition causing the tinnitus can’t be eliminated, odds are the tinnitus can’t be either. In situations where tinnitus is persistent and ongoing, showing no signs of going away, dealing with it becomes a case of management rather than of elimination.
Fortunately, there are effective ways of keeping tinnitus at bay, such as hearing aids and devices for modifying, masking and generating sound (tinnitus-management capabilities are actually built into some contemporary hearing aids).
In addition to devices, there are cognitive behavioural therapies and pharmaceutical options you can explore with your doctor.
