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Introduction

The following information will tell you about tinnitus.

WHAT IS TINNITUS?

Tinnitus is a sensation of noise in the ears. It can affect one ear, but usually affects both, or is heard in the head generally rather than in the ears.

Some people hear a low rumbling noise, some hear a high-pitched ringing, but there are many other types of noise. Some people even hear snatches of music. The striking thing about tinnitus is that the sounds that are heard are only heard by the sufferer, and not by anyone else.

The noise itself is usually not constant; and is usually more troublesome at some times rather than others. Most sufferers find it more troublesome when it is quiet, for instance, or if there is nothing to distract them away from the noise.

The reason that tinnitus is so troublesome to sufferers is because, unlike other irritating noises, you cannot go and find somewhere quiet to get away from it – it follows you everywhere.

WHY IS THE SOUND SO DISTURBING?

We value our hearing a great deal; without it we would not be able to communicate, or enjoy pleasant noises such as the sound of music, or singing. It also serves a very practical purpose – it warns us of danger. This was very important when mankind lived in a less civilized world, but it is still important today – hearing a car coming when crossing the road, or hearing a fire alarm, for example.

We are very aware of all sounds around us, but some in particular make us prick up our ears; a baby crying, an alarm clock or a scream, for example. These sounds cause us a moment’s shock when we hear them because the nerves which carry sound signals to the brain are wired straight into the brain’s wakefulness area, so unexpected noises make us more alert and start looking for hazards.

It is thought that tinnitus is so upsetting for some people because it has the same effect as the noises above, that makes sufferers feel on edge and slightly threatened.

WHAT CAUSES TINNITUS?

If a normal, healthy person were placed in a quiet room, they would almost always hear noises in their ears; the so-called “sound of silence”. So in some ways tinnitus can be seen as a “normal” phenomenon. It only becomes a problem when it becomes intrusive and irritating

There are some diseases that cause tinnitus, and your doctor will have looked for these. Some medicines may also cause tinnitus.

A lot of patients with tinnitus worry that they have a brain tumour; but this is extremely rare. It is even rare for a person who does have a brain tumour to have tinnitus. 

Anyone can get tinnitus, but it tends to be more common in older people. It is also associated with a hearing loss, so anyone who has any degree of deafness is prone to suffer from tinnitus as well.

ARE ANY SPECIAL TESTS NECESSARY?

It is usual to have a hearing test if you have a problem with tinnitus, and this will normally have been performed before you were seen by the specialist.

Occasionally further tests may be necessary, but this is unusual.

WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR TINNTUS?

There is no one treatment for tinnitus which suits all patients.

In general, medication is not helpful. Some patients find noise generators useful. These create a gentle whooshing noise that it is hoped will distract attention away from the tinnitus. These devices do not always help everybody, but can help out in some situations for some people.

The most successful form of treatment is tinnitus retraining therapy or TRT. This form of treatment is carried out by a hearing therapist. It involves one or more sessions centred around discussing the tinnitus itself, and the learning of techniques that can be employed to help suppress the tinnitus.

Most patients having TRT find that it makes their tinnitus much quieter, and in some cases it may go altogether.

There are no operations that can get rid of tinnitus.