What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound, or “ringing”, in one or both ears when no other sound is present. It can be intermittent or constant — with single or multiple tones–and its perceived volume can range from subtle to shattering. 

Is Tinnitus A Common Problem? 

Over 2.6 billion people are affected worldwide. Self-reported tinnitus in people of all ages indicates that tinnitus affects up to ½ of the general population. 

What does tinnitus sound like? 

• Beeping

• Buzzing

• Ringing

• Crickets

• Humming

• Static

• Chirping

• Screeching

• Clicking

How Can Tinnitus Make You Feel? 

Individuals experiencing symptoms of tinnitus report feeling

• Withdrawn

• Helpless

• Scared

• Sad

• Unfocused

• Stressed

• Irritable

• Anxious

• Depressed

• Nervous

• Angry

• Tense

• Fatigued

Is Tinnitus Related To Age? 

Yes! As individuals age, the prevalence of chronic tinnitus increases. Tinnitus is more prevalent in men than women as they age. 

How Can You Prevent Tinnitus? 

You can be exposed to damaging noise, a leading cause of tinnitus, from many sources in day-to-day or recreational activities, such as:

• Fire Arms

• Factories

• Loud Music

• Firearms

Avoid loud noise whenever possible–if you must shout to be heard, then you should avoid the situation. You can also:

Wear Hearing Protection.

-Use earplugs and earmuffs when noise exposure is particularly high.

Turn Down The Volume. 

-Keep personal listening devices set to more than half volume. 

Take Breaks From Loud Noises. 

-Move away from loud sounds if you don’t have hearing protection.

What Can You Do If You Have Tinnitus? 

Your hearing should be tested by a board certified audiologist to see if hearing loss is present. Since tinnitus can be associated with a number of hearing-related conditions, the hearing (audiologic) evaluation can help provide information about the cause and treatment options for you.