Tinnitus

What exactly is tinnitus?

Tinnitus can sound different to different people but is most commonly described as ringing in the ears or head when no external noise is present. It can manifest as various sounds like ringing, buzzing, whistling, humming, hissing, roaring, or even grinding. Some people even report a "whooshing" sound in their ears. The noise can be constant or occasional, quiet, or loud. Tinnitus can be short‑term or long‑term.

Some people find they notice their tinnitus at night while trying to sleep or when in quiet places. Other people find when they are tired or stressed the sound of their tinnitus increases.

Tinnitus and hearing loss can often go hand in hand. Audiology Professionals understand the distress and frustration of experiencing hearing loss and tinnitus, which is why Specsavers offers free 15‑minute Hearing Checks to identify any signs of hearing loss.

If abnormalities are identified, a comprehensive hearing assessment will be recommended to assist in identifying the cause and finding the right solutions for you.

If you think you may have tinnitus, it’s best to see an Audiology Professional so you can get a better understanding of your condition and the treatment options available to you.

What are the causes of tinnitus? How can tinnitus develop?

Although it's a common condition, tinnitus still isn't fully understood. Possible causes could be a number of things including:

1. 1.

   Exposure to loud noise.

2. 2.

   Build up of earwax.

3. 3.

   Ear infection.

4. 4.

   Side effect to certain medications.

5. 5.

   Medical conditions such as Ménière's disease.

Treating & preventing tinnitus

There is no single cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments that can help.

Seeing an Audiology Professional is an excellent first step to see whether you have hearing loss, tinnitus, or both. They can then try to identify and eliminate the cause of your tinnitus. If tinnitus is a side effect of a medical condition, like an ear infection, then treating that condition can get rid of the tinnitus. Your Audiology Professional may need to refer you to a medical professional in these cases.

If your tinnitus is not caused by a medical condition, there are options that can help you manage it. For example, many people find it helpful to use background noises, like music or television, to take prominence away from the sound of their tinnitus. Often people with hearing loss and tinnitus find being fitted with hearing aids also helps their tinnitus. Specsavers Audiology Professionals can provide tailored options, including hearing aids with specialised programs that can generate sounds to help to mask tinnitus. The use of dedicated tinnitus relief apps and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy mobile phone apps like MindEar (see below) can also be helpful in the management of tinnitus.

Tinnitus as a result of noise exposure is preventable with the use of hearing protection such as noise plugs. Using hearing protection when going to loud concerts or working with noisy machinery (eg mowing the lawn), will prevent ear damage that can often lead to tinnitus.

To find out more, book a hearing appointment at Specsavers near you.

If further testing is required after your free 15‑minute Hearing Check, a fee may apply.

If tinnitus is affecting your everyday life and causing you stress, there are counselling and therapy services that can help you learn how to cope with it more effectively.