What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the term used to describe noises like ringing, humming, buzzing or hissing which are heard in the ears or in the head and which cannot be attributed to sounds arising from the environment. In the majority of cases the noises can only be heard by the affected individual and this is referred to as subjective tinnitus. In some rare instances the noises can be heard by another person and this is termed objective tinnitus. The mechanisms of subjective tinnitus are not completely understood however it has been proposed that tinnitus is related to changes in the filtering systems within the auditory nerves of the hearing pathway. Tinnitus is therefore a symptom and not a disease.
What Causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is almost always associated with hearing loss. Specifically, hearing loss that is caused by noise damage, ageing, or Meniere's disease. Less common causes of tinnitus are impacted wax, ear infections, changes to the middle ear, medication, neurological or psychological causes. Stress can be a factor in maintaining tinnitus distress.
How Common Is Tinnitus?
- 10% of adults have had tinnitus for longer than five minutes.
- 7% of adults have been to see a GP about their tinnitus.
- 4% of adults have tinnitus that annoys them moderately or severely.
- 1% of adults have had tinnitus that severely affects their quality of life.
- 0.5% of adults have tinnitus that affects their ability to lead a normal life.
Printer-friendly version
