Do you ever experience a "ringing" in your ears? How about a ringing that lasts more than three months? If so, you're not alone. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 22.7 million adult Americans—or roughly 10 percent of the adult population—have experienced Tinnitus (pronounced tin-NY-tus or TIN-u-tus) for periods longer than 3 months.
Some people hear a ringing noise, others report roaring, clicking, hissing and/or buzzing sounds. It may be soft or loud, high pitched or low pitched. It can be heard either in one or both ears.
WHAT CAUSES TINNITUS?
While Tinnitus is not a disease, it's clearly a symptom that something is wrong. It is often the first sign of hearing loss in older people. It can be caused by something as simple as an ear infection or earwax blocking the ear canal, or it may be a symptom of more serious underlying health conditions, including brain tumor and thyroid abnormalities. Three of the most common causes are:
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: People who work in noisy environments such as factory or construction sites or concert venues can develop Tinnitus over time—or in one loud explosion. It is the most common service-related disability among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Anything you can do to limit your exposure to loud noise—by moving away from the sound, turning down the volume, or wearing earplugs or earmuffs—will help prevent Tinnitus or keep it from getting worse.
Drug Interactions: There are more than 200 medications known to cause Tinnitus when you start or stop taking them. The symptoms are usually temporary.
Ménière's disease: A disorder of the inner ear that causes severe dizziness (vertigo), Tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear, Ménière's disease usually affects only one ear.
ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT
Tinnitus does not have a cure yet, but treatments that help many people cope better with the condition are available. Most doctors will offer a combination of treatments, from hearing aids and wearable sound generators that mask the symptoms to medication interventions, such as neural stimulation and cochlear implants, to counseling and antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs that help people adapt to symptoms that can't be alleviated.
If you experience persistent ringing in your ears or the sound is causing you to lose sleep or concentration, you may want to consult a medical professional. If you are a member, call Nurseline at 866.220.3138—any time of the day or night—for more information or if you are concerned about your symptoms.
HEAR MORE ABOUT HEARING PROBLEMS: THE NURSELINE AUDIO LIBRARY
The Nurseline Audio Library has information on a wide variety of health and safety topics. To hear more about Tinnitus and hearing loss, call 1.866.220.3138 and push 2. When prompted, punch in:
- Code 1646 for the audio file on Hearing Loss
- Code 1641 for the audio file on Labyrinthitis
- Code 1640 for the audio file on Ear Wax
Pathways to Well Being Call VITAL WorkLife at 800.383.1908
