Ringing in Ears (Tinnitus)
The sound of ringing in the ears can drive you to distraction. Beyond how annoying the sound is, that ringing sound may also be a sign of a condition that may cause hearing loss. Discover everything you need to know about “tinnitus.”
Tinnitus: Why You Have 'Ringing in the Ears'
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common hearing condition that causes people to hear a sound in their ears.
Typically, this sound takes the form of a ringing noise. But it may also sound like a hissing, buzzing, cicada or whistling sound.
As many as one in seven Australians experience some form of tinnitus.
The most common cases are temporary, such as the ringing in the ears you may experience for a couple of days following a concert.
In other cases, tinnitus is a permanent condition that has a negative impact on people’s lives in many ways.
The condition has many potential causes, including ear infections, exposure to loud noise, and injuries to the head or neck.
Effects of Tinnitus
Though tinnitus doesn’t cause significant harm, the constant ringing in the ears can have adverse effects on your life:
- 1Constant anxiety and distress caused by the inability to escape the noise you can hear
- 2Compounds the effects of hearing loss
- 3Difficulties sleeping, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, and long-term health issues
- 4Depression brought on by the constant noise
- 5Concentration issues, especially if the ringing is loud enough to distract you from your tasks
- 6Frequent mood swings that may affect your relationships with other people
Try our quick tinitus quiz
Do you suspect that you have tinnitus? This quick quiz points you in the right direction.
If you answer “yes” to all or most of these questions, book your free hearing check now.
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Speak to a Freedom Hearing audiologist about tinnitus now!
How to Stop 'Ringing in the Ears': Tinnitus Treatment Options
Though tinnitus alone doesn’t cause significant damage, approximately 80% of people who have it also have some form of hearing loss.
Hearing aids can help. Hearing aids amplify other sounds so you hear them above the ringing noise. Some hearing aid devices also have sound generators that can block tinnitus.
Potential treatments include sound therapy, which reduces the contrast between ringing in the ears and quiet environments.
Other tinnitus treatment options include earplugs, which prevent further damage from loud noises, and meditation.
If you’d like to learn more about what you can do to combat tinnitus or wish to find out if you have it, book a hearing check with the Freedom Hearing team.
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Ringing in Ears FAQs
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can have many causes. Some common causes include:
- Exposure to loud noise
- Ear infections or wax buildup
- Certain medications
- High blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
- Head or neck injuries
- Stress or anxiety
- Age-related hearing loss
- It can also be a symptom of Meniere’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears.
If you experience ringing in your ears frequently or for long periods of time, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a common symptom that can have a range of causes and severities. For some people, tinnitus may be a minor annoyance that they can learn to ignore. For others, tinnitus may be debilitating and have a significant impact on their quality of life.
In most cases, tinnitus is not a serious condition and can be treated effectively. However, in some cases, tinnitus may be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.
If you have tinnitus and it is affecting your quality of life, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation. They can help determine the cause of your tinnitus and develop an appropriate treatment plan, which may include counselling, sound therapy, or medications.
In some rare cases, tinnitus can be an indication of a serious condition such as a tumour or aneurysm, so it’s important to have it checked by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
You should be concerned about ringing in your ears and see a healthcare provider if:
- The ringing is accompanied by other symptoms such as hearing loss, dizziness, or vertigo.
- The ringing is sudden, very loud or persistent, and affects your daily activities.
- The ringing is accompanied by pain or discharge from the ear.
- You have a history of exposure to loud noises or have been taking medications known to cause tinnitus.
- The ringing is accompanied by other symptoms such as facial weakness, difficulty speaking, or vision changes.
- You have a history of head injury or ear infection.
- If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor for an evaluation to determine the cause of your tinnitus and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
It’s also important to keep in mind that tinnitus can be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as an ear infection, high blood pressure, or diabetes, so it’s important to have a general check-up to rule out any other causes.
The first signs of tinnitus may vary depending on the cause of the condition, but common symptoms include:
- Ringing, buzzing, or humming sounds in one or both ears
- Roaring, clicking, or whooshing sounds in one or both ears
- Sounds that are heard only in quiet environments or when background noise is low
- Sounds that come and go, or change in intensity
- Difficulty sleeping, concentration or hearing
- Headaches or earaches
- Dizziness or vertigo
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation to determine the cause of your tinnitus and develop an appropriate treatment plan. It is important to have your tinnitus evaluated as soon as possible, as the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to treat.
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