Tinnitus (from the Latin word ‘tinnnire’, meaning ‘to ring’) is a persistent sound experienced by a person when no corresponding physical sound is present. It usually takes the form of a high-pitched whining or ringing sound, but may also present as a buzzing, clicking, roaring, or hissing (as well as a variety of other sounds) in the ears.
Tinnitus is a common condition, albeit one classified as a symptom, rather than a disease (it can even be a side-effect of some medications). Tinnitus is experienced by roughly 10 - 15% of any given population (some UK estimates place the number as high as 30%), and it affects people of all ages. However, only 1 - 2% of people experience tinnitus as a significant problem.
In some of the more extreme cases, tinnitus has been linked to anxiety and depression, as well as a reduction in the effective comprehension of speech and other sounds.
In most cases, tinnitus is an occasional occurrence that doesn’t last too long. However, in other instances, it can be a constant source of irritation that can cause concentration issues, as well as a number of other problems.
But, is tinnitus linked to hearing loss?
The easy answer is ‘yes’, tinnitus and hearing loss are indeed related. In fact, up to 90% of people who experience tinnitus also experience hearing loss. The connection between the two conditions is that both can be caused by damage to the auditory system (itself often caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises, or some other form of physical trauma).
Inner ear damage is perhaps the most common cause of tinnitus. The tiny inner ear hairs (that enable human beings to hear by reacting to the pressure from sound waves) are exceedingly delicate. If these sensitive hairs are damaged, they may send electrical impulses to the brain that result in the person experiencing tinnitus. Because hearing loss is usually caused the same way, the two conditions are inexorably linked.
The links between tinnitus and hearing loss are well documented. Tinnitus will sometimes even follow the specific pattern of a person’s hearing loss. For example, if a person is experiencing hearing loss in one ear, they may also experience tinnitus solely in that ear.
However, it is also possible to experience tinnitus without hearing loss, and vice versa.
Tinnitus can be caused by a number of things, including (but not limited to) waxy build-up in the ears, exposure to loud noises, head or neck injuries, certain medications/medical treatments, jaw-related problems, and old age, as well as a long and varied list of afflictions that includes blood vessel-based issues, Ménière’s disease, some types of tumours, diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders, anaemia, and other chronic conditions.
An emotionally taxing or traumatic event may also cause tinnitus to occur. This is because emotional stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system, which increases nerve activity in the brain, causing (or worsening an existing case of) tinnitus.
Often, if the cause of tinnitus can be identified and treated, the condition will lessen or go away entirely. However, there is no known cure for tinnitus, and many people who experience this condition simply have to adapt to it. Counselling and/or hearing aids can be considerably useful in these cases.
It is estimated that around 1 in 7 adults in the UK live with persistent tinnitus. In severe cases, it can be debilitating, causing insomnia, social awkwardness, irritation, anxiety, depression, and more. It is a condition that has an ongoing negative effect on a person’s life. As such, the subject of tinnitus (and, by extension, hearing loss) must always be discussed with empathy and sensitivity.
