Explaining Causes & Solutions for Tinnitus

Tinnitus Explained: Causes & Solutions  

At AudioNova, we consult with many patients who report hearing a buzzing, ringing, or whooshing sound in their ears. Tinnitus is the technical term for the noise you can hear when no external sound is present, and nearly 15 percent of the population is affected by various symptoms of tinnitus at some point in their life. In some cases, the tinnitus goes away on its own, but for others, it’s permanent. Below, the hearing experts at AudioNova explain what causes tinnitus and how to find relief for your symptoms. Reach out to our clinical teams today to learn more.  

Why Do Some People Get Tinnitus? 

Scientists haven’t identified why some people are susceptible to tinnitus and others aren’t, but some conditions can cause it. Tinnitus usually occurs when a person’s hearing is damaged, whether they’re repeatedly exposed to loud noises or experienced a single, damaging event. Injuries, certain medications, and various diseases can also cause tinnitus. Some causes of tinnitus include: 

• Hearing loss 

• Ear blockage 

• TMJ disorder 

• Inner ear disease 

• Balance disorders 

• Head, neck, or brain injury 

• Severe barometric trauma 

• Congestion from the flu, a cold, or sinus infection 

• Certain ototoxic medications 

What Happens Over Time? 

If you have tinnitus, the ringing or buzzing sounds you hear can change over time. The sounds can be louder or softer, and sometimes, they can feel uncomfortable. When the symptoms of tinnitus are severe, it's called a spike. These occurrences can be unpredictable and scary, with some worrying that the change is permanent. The more you understand about your tinnitus and what causes it, the less anxious you’ll feel during a spike in the future.  

What Causes Tinnitus Spikes? 

External factors or triggers usually cause tinnitus spikes. The most common triggers include higher levels of stress, alcohol consumption, taking certain medications, and not getting enough sleep. Some additional common triggers include:  

• Caffeine 

• Nicotine  

• Medications 

• Supplements 

• Changes in weather 

• Exposure to loud noise 

• Diets high in sodium or sugar 

• Changes in barometric pressure 

Tracking Your Tinnitus Triggers  

It can be challenging to find out what your tinnitus triggers are. An easy way to find out what triggers your symptoms is by journaling or using a tinnitus-tracking app for your phone. By tracking your behaviors and tinnitus spikes, you can draw a connection between the events on days when spikes occur. When journaling, it can help to track the following: 

• Diet 

• Sleep 

• Exercise 

• Weather 

• Stress levels 

• The severity of your symptoms 

• Medications and supplements you take  

Finding Relief for Tinnitus Symptoms 

Tinnitus is caused by several chronic conditions, but there are still things you can do to manage the symptoms so they don’t interfere as much with your quality of life. In addition to identifying your triggers, there are several other things you can do to make the condition feel less intrusive, including:  

• Find Ways to Manage Your Stress Better: Stress is widely believed to be a common trigger for tinnitus. The more steps you take to manage your stress, your tinnitus will become easier to manage. To manage your stress, you can try meditating, practicing mindfulness, getting massage therapy, talking to a therapist who has experience helping people manage tinnitus, and exercising regularly.  

• Join a Support Group: It’s common for affected people to feel frustrated, isolated, angry, and even depressed. Meeting with others who experience similar problems can be comforting. You can meet others who are willing to discuss their experiences, share what methods worked for them, and brainstorm solutions as a team.  

• Establish a Healthy Sleep Routine: Not getting enough sleep can worsen tinnitus symptoms. Incorporating healthy sleep into your routine can help you control tinnitus symptoms. For example, it might help to go to bed at the same time every night, use room-darkening curtains, or listen to white noise to help mask the sound of tinnitus.   

• Try Hearing Aids: Hearing aids can help with tinnitus in three ways: They can provide the brain with the missing sensory input that causes tinnitus in the first place, amplify sound waves in the environment to help mask the noise of tinnitus, and provide sound therapy that decreases a person’s awareness of the symptoms. Your hearing care provider can help you evaluate your tinnitus and find the best hearing aid suited for your needs. 

Can Tinnitus Be Prevented? 

You can help prevent tinnitus by avoiding loud environments and wearing proper hearing protection if you’re regularly exposed to loud noises. Some forms of tinnitus are the byproduct of certain chronic conditions and can’t be prevented. However, tinnitus can also be caused by conductive hearing loss problems like ear infections, which can be treated. 

Contact the Hearing Experts at AudioNova Today 

If your tinnitus is chronic or permanent, we're here to help you find ways to be more comfortable and alleviate your symptoms. During a comprehensive hearing exam, the clinical team at AudioNova will take a comprehensive approach to understand the specifics of your condition. If hearing aids are recommended as a solution for your tinnitus, we'll review the best options to help you find suitable devices to fit your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. At AudioNova, we understand the importance of hearing the world around you clearly. Contact us today or schedule a one-on-one consultation with a provider. Our clinical team looks forward to hearing from you.