Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an awareness of sound in the ears or head which is not from an external source.

 

Close up profile of a woman rubbing one of her ears with her eyes closed and a stressful expression

There are many different types of tinnitus noise and sounds. Common descriptions are that it is a hiss, whistle, whirring or buzz. Occasionally, it can be segments of music. The pitch can be high or low and the level can vary over time.

 

How common is tinnitus?

In its mildest form, tinnitus is extremely common, and many people experience occasional sounds in their ears, for example after being in a noisy place such as a concert.

Around 1 in 7 people in the UK are affected by tinnitus – that 7.6 million people. Of that number, 1.5 million live with severe tinnitus. (Source: Tinnitus UK)

 

Types of tinnitus

There are two main types: subjective and objective tinnitus:

  • Subjective: This can be heard only by the person. It is the most common type of tinnitus.
  • Objective: This can be heard by somebody examining the person and is very uncommon. It can be caused by a variety of physical effects such as spasm of the tiny muscles in the middle ear, abnormalities in the blood vessels or increased blood flow to the ear.

Causes of tinnitus

The exact cause of tinnitus is unknown, but it not regarded as a disease or illness. It is a change to the transmission of the signal going from the ear to the part of the brain where sound is processed, known as the auditory cortex.

This means that some parts of the auditory cortex do not receive signals as they used to. In some people, this area reacts by developing spontaneous ‘chatter’, which becomes synchronised to create the illusion of sound.

Close up, side view of a person’s ear with white broken soundwaves going into the ear

Over time, this firing pattern is strengthened, and the tinnitus can become a constant sound. The following factors are known to be involved in the development of tinnitus:

Support for tinnitus

National charity Tinnitus UK offers free help and support for people living with tinnitus. Get support via its free helpline, chat function, text and email.

Get in touch

How to manage tinnitus

The first part of managing tinnitus is not to panic. First, consult a GP, who will refer suspected cases to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor, or audiologist that specialises in tinnitus.

Side view of a young woman talking to a doctor
Image by freepik

Advice on living with tinnitus

  • Learn to relax - Sometimes worrying about tinnitus can make it more noticeable, so learning to relax can help provide relief. Slowing down the rate of breathing and relaxing muscles are examples of simple relaxation exercises to try.
  • Avoid silence - Increasing the ambient noise can help stop focusing on tinnitus. Some people find playing background music or other regular sound can be beneficial.
  • Protect your hearing - Protect your hearing in noisy environments. Whether at work, at home or in a social situation, there are lots of options to explore, such as earplugs that now come in many different designs and colours.
  • Keep active - It is important to keep active and involved in usual activities or hobbies to help take focus away from tinnitus.
  • Keep healthy - Being as healthy as possible is good for general well-being. If certain food, drink or activities seem to aggravate tinnitus, consider reducing them. There are several therapies available now to provide long-term and consistent relief from tinnitus. Seek help from a tinnitus specialist who may be able to provide one of these therapies or a hearing device which can provide relief from tinnitus.