This page will provide you with more information about tinnitus and some myths and truths surrounding the condition.
Myths and truths
- Tinnitus will get worse over time – MYTH. Tinnitus generally gets better with time – it becomes more manageable, it becomes quieter, or it is heard less frequently.
- Having tinnitus means I will go deaf – MYTH. Hearing loss can be a cause of tinnitus but tinnitus cannot cause hearing loss.
- Hearing aids help manage tinnitus – TRUTH. For the vast majority people who have a hearing loss along with tinnitus, hearing aids quieten the tinnitus.
- Caffeine makes tinnitus worse – MYTH. There is no sound research to indicate this.
- Having tinnitus is a sign that I have a serious condition – MYTH. Tinnitus is rarely a sign of anything serious.
- I will never hear silence again – MYTH. Tinnitus can improve with time with the right techniques.
Who can hear tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be perceived by between around 10-19% of the adult population.
1 in 3 elderly adults report tinnitus but children also can have tinnitus.
It has no external stimulus and can be heard centrally, bilaterally or be one sided or pulsatile.
It cannot usually be heard by anyone else. People with normal hearing can report hearing tinnitus as well as people with no hearing at all.
What causes tinnitus?
Central forms of tinnitus are thought to be related to abnormal neural activity which may be triggered by hearing loss. This signal is then interpreted as an auditory perception and can be associated with distress.
Tinnitus can also be associated with Cochlear damage which may not be detectable on a standard audiogram
Tinnitus is mainly associated with aging, hearing loss, noise exposure and stress but it can also be reported in relation to many other things including:
- Ménière’s Disease
- Otosclerosis
- Wax
- Glue ear
- Medication
- Thyroid problems
- Anaemia
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Eustachian tube
- Head trauma, multiple sclerosis
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Depression and Anxiety
It can be constant or temporary; it can change in pitch and loudness and be more than one sound.
It is often described as:
- Buzzing, whistling
- off tune radio
- static
- screeching
- rushing water
- heartbeat
Tinnitus is not always associated with distress.
6-20% of people with it consider it just bothersome and it does not affect their daily activities or sleep.
Those troubled by it generally have developed a conditioned response where the tinnitus is kept at a high level by negative thoughts and anxiety.
These feelings stimulate the body to react– this is often called ‘fight or flight’ and cause a heightened awareness of tinnitus.
What can be done?
There is currently no cure for tinnitus this information aims to focus on management techniques including:
- Sound enrichment
- Relaxation
- Sleep Improvement
- Self-help and further support
Tinnitus does improve.
The brain can habituate to sound. However, there is no instant fix.
What is next?
Tinnitus does get better!
- Most people’s tinnitus improves using simple management techniques.
- It becomes quieter or less frequent or both.
- So please try some of the self-help techniques described in our guides and there is also information about where to turn for further support.
Tinnitus in the news
Recent headline news on tinnitus mentioned medication which is being trialled on mice for treating tinnitus but currently there is no medication available which is proven to help.
For more information on this visit the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) website:
Tinnitus – what's the real story?Future tinnitus management
The BTA currently fund a variety of projects investigating tinnitus causes and treatments so it is not a condition which is being forgotten about.
For the first time there have been some clear guidelines published on tinnitus management to help improve the standards of care for tinnitus patients.
From the recommendations from research into tinnitus, people are currently finding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness the most effective forms of help.
Your GP can refer you for CBT and local groups for mindfulness are available if you are interested in learning the techniques.
