Many people experience tinnitus, more commonly referred to as ringing in the ears. Each individuals' tinnitus experience is uique. Commonly people describe ringing, buzzing, humming, background sounds, roaring or whistling noises in their ears. Approximately 15% of the general population experience a degree of tinnitus. For people over the age of 55 this number increases to over 30%.

For around 1-2% of the population, living with tinnitus is distressing and distrubing, interfering with sleep, relaxation and concentration. Tinnitus can restrict people's quality of life as sufferers learn to avoid situations that are either quiet or particularly noisy, either of which can make the tinnitus more noticeable. Tinnitus is an unpleasant condition which can have a negative impact on work, family and social life.

Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of factors and each individual case is unique. Tinnitus typically arises in the auditory system as a result of hearing loss which may be caused by exposure to loud noises, certain types of drugs and medication, or middle ear infections. In a small proportion of cases, tinnitus arises from a condition that requires medical or surgical intervention. For some people with tinnitus, once the signal is generated in the auditory system another part of the brain (the limbic system) attaches an emotional response to the tinnitus. Similar to the 'feeling' you get when you scratch your fingernails down a blackboard, tinnitus becomes more than just a sound. Tinnitus can trigger anxiety and stress responses in the body, through activation of the limbic system and the autonomic nervous system (a system that controls involuntary processes e.g. heart rate, breathing, blood distribution). Exerpt from "Neuromonics Treatment Protocol".

Treatment of Tinnitus

Treatment of tinnitus can be approached by:
1. Decreasing the intensity of the tinnitus
2. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (using a sophisticated sound treatment).
3. Increasing the tolerance

The ideal method of treatment would be decreasing the intensity, but often involves all three methods.

Decreasing the Intensity of Tinnitus

The first step is to determine if there is any correctable condition or behavior causing the tinnitus. Common correctable conditions causing or aggravating tinnitus are:

1. Any blockage of the conductive apparatus, such as wax in the ear, fluid in the middle ear or fixation of the middle ear bones (Otosclerosis)
2. Certain diseases: Meniere's disease, hypertension, increased cranial pressure, arterial anomalies, acoustic neuroma, etc.
3. Common behaviors: noise exposure, jaw clenching, caffeine, nicotine, or drugs (aspirin, aminoglygocides).

The strategy with these conditions consists of treating the medical condition or correcting the behavior. When one of these factors can be identified, the chance of success is much better. Otherwise, most efforts to find effective treatments to reduce/eliminate tinnitus have had limited success. Some of the more widespread treatment options available include local anesthetics, antihistamine drugs, vasodilators, and minor tranquilizers.

Masking Tinnitus

Masking is often used as a viable option for people where other routes of palliation have failed. Masking refers to exposing the patient to other sounds in an effort to block out, or take their mind off their tinnitus. Modern electronic devices called maskers are worn like a hearing aid and serve to provide constant background noises, thereby reducing perceived tinnitus. A hearing aid will often serve as a good masker because it amplifies environmental sounds up over the tinnitus. Some people create their own masking by wearing headphones, having a fountain or electric fan, or listening to some soothing music to detract their conscious involvement with tinnitus.

Maskers do not help the tinnitus long term, the tinnitus will return in a few minutes after the masking noise is removed.

Increasing the Tolerance to Tinnitus

After correctable factors have been ruled out, or corrected, the tinnitus can be labeled as "intractable". When this occurs it is best to work at increasing our tolerance to the tinnitus. Drugs can be helpful, but it is best to only use them short term, since long term use can quickly result in addiction.

Where medical treatment or masking has failed, some patients may benefit from psychotherapeutic biofeedback training. This therapy primarily affects the patient's perception of their tinnitus rather than the actual symptom.

Ear specialists of Omaha can evaluate your tinnitus. Based on the results of the evaluation a personalized management plan can be constructed to help you better cope with your tinnitus.