Tinnitus more than just a ringing in your ears

The condition may be recognized as a ringing, hissing, clicking or buzzing in the ears when no external sound is present, and for those with chronic tinnitus it can be far more than just annoying, having a major impact on the overall quality of life. Tinnitus affects sleep, thought processing and concentration, and may be accompanied by hearing loss. It may exacerbate mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorder.

Dr. Harrison Lin, of the UC Irvine Medical Center, recently conducted a study to determine how common tinnitus is in the U.S. His report, which was published July 22 in JAMA Otoloaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, states that approximately one in 10 adults have the condition. One of the goals of the report was to assess the type of care those who suffer from the condition receive, as well as the impact upon their lives.

Lin and his colleagues reviewed survey data from 2007 that included over 75,000 adults nationwide aged 18 and older. People were asked if they had experienced symptoms of tinnitus within the last 12 months. If they answered yes, they were asked to rate the severity and frequency of the problem, and whether or not they had discussed it with their health care provider.

Out of those who reported tinnitus, 27 percent said they had experienced the problem for more than 15 years. Thirty-six percent of those said their symptoms were nearly constant. Seven percent said it was a big problem. Less than half had discussed the issue with their physician.

The typical treatment for tinnitus is medication, even though the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Foundation (AAOHNSF) advises against using drugs. Hearing aids are the recommended intervention, but were reportedly discussed only 9 percent of the time. Hearing aids, in addition to helping those who are experiencing hearing loss, can be helpful in combating the phantom noise by masking the annoying sounds. “Actually enriching the sound with extra noise can more or less just drown out the tinnitus,” said Dr. Erika Woodson of the Cleveland Clinic.

Many patients just live with the condition, but Woodson says others could greatly benefit from treatment. She recommends a medical evaluation for people experiencing tinnitus for the first time, especially if it is accompanied by hearing loss, if it is only in one ear, or if it is affecting sleep, mood or quality of life.

Tinnitus is thought to be caused by exposure to loud noises. Those who have served in the armed forces are at particular risk. Woodson said she hopes the study will raise awareness of how common the problem is and what can be done about it.