Everything you need to know about tinnitus

If you’ve ever had a ringing in your ears after a concert or a night out at a club, then you’ll know how annoying it is.

Now imagine the ringing doesn’t go away. Ever.

That is the personal hell millions of people suffer from and it’s called tinnitus.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is derived from the Latin word for “ringing”, which is what most people describe their symptoms as, a ringing sound in their ears.

Although it doesn’t have to be ringing – many people complain of a buzzing, hissing, whistling or crunching noise – the sound has no external source, it’s all inside the sufferer’s head.

The volume of the sound might vary, and the sensation might come and go or be there constantly.

Tinnitus isn’t a disease or an illness, it’s a symptom of something else, an underlying cause.

So what causes tinnitus?

From what we can tell, prolonged exposure to loud sounds is the main cause. That means people who work in factories, rock musicians, mechanics and landscapers are all examples of professionals who are in danger.

Other conditions and illnesses can also cause it, with ear infections being the most common.

You can avoid infections by keeping your ears clean and avoiding putting objects in them – and that includes cotton buds! Your ears are self-cleaning, that’s one of the functions of earwax, you don’t need to go poking in there with anything!

Other causes of tinnitus include stress and anxiety, so try taking some time out for yourself and keep a healthy life balance.

If you’ve recently started a new prescription drug then that may be the cause of tinnitus. It’s rare, but there are over 200 drugs which list tinnitus as a side-effect, especially when you start or stop taking them, most notably aspirin, certain antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Will it go away on its own?

Usually, tinnitus will go away on its own, typically after the underlying cause has been dealt with.

Ear infections will clear up eventually, and so will the tinnitus. It may last for weeks or even months, but in most cases, it will go away.

The seriousness of the underlying condition determines the length and severity of the problem. If it fails to go away by itself then there might be permanent hearing loss or, in extreme cases, a tumour causing it.

If symptoms persist for more than a few weeks it’s recommended to see an audiologist or an ENT doctor.

What is the treatment for tinnitus?

Again, the treatment for tinnitus is directly linked to the cause of the tinnitus, which only a doctor can diagnose.

You can take measures in preventing it from becoming worse, especially your exposure to loud noises.

Use medication to cure ear infections, take active steps to reduce your stress and anxiety levels, and above all, make that appointment with an audiologist!