Tinnitus: What Can Be Done About It?

Tinnitus (“TIN-ah-tus” or “Tin-EYE-tus”) refers to “ringing in the ears” when no other sound is present. Not everyone experiences a ‘ringing’ sound–tinnitus can also sound like hissing, roaring, pulsing, whooshing, chirping, whistling, or clicking.  Tinnitus can occur in one ear or both ears.  It can be a constant presence, or it can come and go.

Why does my tinnitus seem to become worse at night?

If you experience tinnitus, you may notice that it seems worse (louder, or more frequent) when you’re trying to sleep at night, or while you are doing quiet activities such as reading.  Fatigue and stress, more common after a long day, can exacerbate tinnitus.  Tinnitus also seems louder at night due to the quiet environment around you.   Think about tinnitus like a single birthday candle lit in a dark room–it will seem quite bright for such a small object.  Now imagine you turn on the lights in the room and the partygoers are mingling. . .the birthday candle is still there, but faint.  Chances are it is no longer the center of attention.  Most people notice their tinnitus less when they are busy going about their day.

Hearing and tinnitus:  What is the link?

Have you had your hearing tested?  Tinnitus and hearing loss often co-exist.  An estimated 90% of tinnitus sufferers have experienced some degree of change in their hearing.  The hearing loss and the ringing often have the same cause– damaged hair cells in the inner ear.  The nerve endings in the inner ear are tiny hair cells.  Thousands of them are lined up in the innermost part of ear, looking almost like blades of grass.  Damage– whether through noise, illness, medication, genetics, or other reasons– causes those hair cells to be bent down or broken off.  Damaged hair cells cause hearing loss, and those damaged hair cells can also misfire, causing tinnitus.

Improve your hearing, reduce your tinnitus!

Hearing aids are helpful for many people who have tinnitus.  The better you hear, the less you may notice your tinnitus.  If you have hearing loss, there are some sounds you don’t hear as well as you used to.  Your brain is replacing those missing sounds with ringing, hissing, or buzzing.  With hearing aids, your brain hears all of those missing sounds again,  making your tinnitus less noticeable.  Remember the analogy of the birthday candle in the dark room–hearing aids help you “turn the lights on” for your hearing.  You may still be able to pick out the tinnitus if you listen for it, but your brain will be better able to focus on everything else happening in your world.

Take good care of yourself.

There are many other things you can do to help reduce the intensity of your tinnitus.

• Healthy diet and exercise.  Specifically, salt and caffeine intake have been shown to exacerbate tinnitus.
• Hearing Protection.  Remember to protect your hearing while operating power tools, lawn mowers and other noise-producing devices.
• Sleep practices.  Keep a regular bedtime routine and keep your bedroom cool and dark to encourage sleeping.
• Sound generators.  Some people find it useful to sleep with a fan on or soft music playing (or a recording of ocean or wind sounds) to help their brain focus on environmental sounds instead of tinnitus.
• Relaxation. Try yoga or meditation!  Stress is linked to an increase in tinnitus, so experiment with activities that you personally find relaxing. 

What is my next step?

Have you had your hearing tested?  A baseline hearing test is recommended for anyone experiencing tinnitus.  An audiologist can discuss your hearing levels with you and determine the best course of treatment.  Give us a call today at (410) 672-1233 to set up an appointment.