Do you have buzzing or ringing in your ears? Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound when no external sound is actually present.
Tinnitus meaning
Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound when no external sound is actually present.
It is most commonly described as ringing, whistling, wheezing, buzzing, clicking or humming but can be described in many other ways. That is because tinnitus sounds different to every person who experiences it. It can be high-pitched or low-pitched or even a tone that changes.
Tinnitus and hearing loss are connected. Around 85% of people with tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss.
While tinnitus doesn’t cause hearing loss, the sound of it can be distracting and make it hard to hear other sounds. Hearing aids can be an effective way to treat tinnitus and hearing loss at the same time.
How common is tinnitus?
Around 15% of the global population experience permanent tinnitus. Almost everyone experiences some form of temporary tinnitus at one time or another – for example after a night out at a concert or noisy bar.
The most common tinnitus causes
- Exposure to loud noise
- Aging processes
- Medication
- Diseases
- Stress
Because tinnitus is sometimes a side effect of a treatable condition – such as hypertension or even impacted earwax – it is a good idea to speak to your doctor or Hearing Care Professional if you experience tinnitus.
Tinnitus cure and treatment
There is no cure for most types of tinnitus but there are ways you can manage it.
The most common treatment is sound therapy – a way of teaching your brain to focus on other sounds and to simply experience tinnitus as a background noise without giving it too much attention.
Interton’s range of hearing aids have a built-in Tinnitus Sound Generator to help you manage your tinnitus. Our Tinnitus Sound Generator is a sound therapy tool that helps distract your brain away from your tinnitus, so you can focus on the important and enjoyable sounds around you.
