Tinnitus

 Tinnitus: The Ringing You Hear but No One Else Does

Have you ever heard a faint ringing in your ears after a loud bang or noisy fireworks? Now, imagine if that ringing never stopped — always present, but only audible to you. That’s what people with tinnitus experience every day.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears — or even in the head — when there is no external source. It can sound like:

• Ringing

• Buzzing

• Clicking

• Humming

• Hissing

• Roaring

The sound may be constant or come and go, and vary in volume and pitch. It's important to note that tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition.

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How Common is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus affects millions globally. According to a 2022 study published in JAMA Neurology:

• 14% of adults experience some form of tinnitus.

• 2% experience severe tinnitus.

• It becomes more common with age:

  • 10% of young adults

  • 14% of middle-aged adults

  • 24% of older adults

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What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can have several causes, including:

• Hearing loss (age-related or noise-induced):
  Damage to sensory hair cells in the inner ear can send faulty signals to the brain, which are interpreted as sound.

• Head or ear injuries:
  Trauma can affect nerves or brain areas that process sound, often causing tinnitus in one ear.

• Ear infections or blockages:
  Earwax buildup or infections can interfere with hearing and lead to tinnitus.

• Medications:
  Some medicines may trigger or worsen tinnitus, including:

  • NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen)

  • Certain antibiotics

  • Antidepressants

  • Cancer or antimalarial drugs

• Other medical conditions:
  Blood vessel disorders or more serious illnesses like Ménière’s disease or vestibular schwannoma can also cause tinnitus.

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Types of Tinnitus

• Subjective Tinnitus (most common):
  Only the person affected can hear the sound.

• Objective Tinnitus (rare):
  A doctor may hear the sound, often rhythmic and in sync with the heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus).

Tinnitus can also be:

• Acute: lasts less than 3 months

• Chronic: lasts more than 3 months

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Should You See a Doctor?

Not all tinnitus is serious, but a medical check is recommended if:

• Tinnitus appears suddenly

• It's accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, or pain

• It lasts more than 3 months

• It begins to affect your daily life or sleep

Though often harmless, severe tinnitus can disrupt sleep, concentration, and mental health.

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How is Tinnitus Treated?

There’s no cure for tinnitus yet, but it can be managed. Treatment depends on the cause and severity:

1. Devices:

• Hearing aids for those with hearing loss

• White noise machines or ear-worn devices to mask the ringing

2. Therapies:

• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): Combines sound therapy with counselling

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and stress management

According to the World Health Organization, no medications have yet been proven effective. Instead, the focus is on reducing stress and shifting attention away from the tinnitus — like immersing yourself in work, hobbies, or relaxing sounds.

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Hope on the Horizon

Indian researchers at IIT-Bombay have developed an affordable device to help diagnose tinnitus more easily, a promising step toward better care and awareness.

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Tinnitus may be invisible, but for those living with it, it's a constant companion. Understanding it is the first step toward managing it.