While you might not know the word Tinnitus, you likely know what it is: ringing in the ears. If you have this persistent sound in the head that’s not caused by an external source or know someone who’s suffering from it, the facts below can help you better understand what’s going on internally.

1.      There’s No Cure – But There is Treatment

While there’s no cure for tinnitus, there are remedies to help bring back the quality of life. Don’t give up all hope if you realize an auditory issue in yourself or someone close to you.
If you develop tinnitus as a symptom of hearing loss, for example, then a hearing aid can enable you to enjoy conversations again without feeling like you’re missing out.

2.      Depression and Anxiety can Accompany Tinnitus 
 
Annoying auditory ringing or buzzing can link with anxiety, stress, and depression in tinnitus sufferers. If you’re not able to manage the persistent noise, feelings of loss of control and worry can manifest, leading to one or more of the afore-mentioned psychological conditions.
For instance, you might worry that a ringing episode could happen suddenly while out in public and you won’t be able to cope. That fear may keep you inside the house, avoiding social situations; it can take over a person’s life, displacing their usual routine.
To help find relief, cognitive-behavioural therapy can be helpful, as can mindfulness meditation. A doctor might also recommend medication as part of a treatment plan; antidepressants can help lessen anxiety, for example, as well as helping with insomnia, if that is a problem for the sufferer.

3.      Sounds can Vary

While ringing in the ears is the common description for tinnitus, it’s also possible to hear other sounds. Examples are:

• Buzzing
• Static
• Hissing
• Roaring
• Screeching

The sound is subjective, and only the sufferer hears it. However, it is anything but imagined. Getting a sense of the noise is important to be able to describe it to your doctor and loved ones, so they better understand what you are feeling and how to support you.

4.      Tinnitus can Affect Young People Too

Contrary to popular belief, tinnitus does not only affect the older generation. While it is most often a symptom of hearing loss that affects people who are between ages 40-80, it can also affect those who are younger than that.
Even young kids can experience the persistent sound in the ears. Lifestyle choices can be a factor in the development of tinnitus, including listening to loud music at rock concerts, and working around loud machines at work.

5.      Tinnitus is More Common than You May Realize

If you worry that you are alone, the reality is that tinnitus affects more people than you might think at first. It affects about 50 million Americans, with varying degrees of discomfort and severity.
How it affects people differs, from a minor hindrance to a trigger for psychological distress. It can also worsen if you feel stress or are tired, as well as with caffeine intake.

Are these tinnitus facts new to you? Do you get regular hearing tests to safeguard your health?