Understanding Tinnitus and How to Manage It

Tinnitus, often described as "ringing in the ears," is more than just an occasional annoyance. For many, it's a constant noise that can affect daily life. It can range from faint buzzing or hissing to louder clicking or roaring sounds. Both sound and underlying reasons can vary between individuals, making it important to understand their causes, symptoms, and management strategies.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus happens when you perceive sounds that have no external source. It's a condition that affects millions of people. Although it may be temporary, it can become a chronic issue, especially for individuals over the age of 55.

The sounds of tinnitus result from disruptions in auditory signals. Often, this is due to damage to tiny sensory cells, known as hair cells, in the inner ear. But tinnitus is far more complex than a one-size-fits-all condition, as the sounds and underlying causes can vary widely.

What are the common causes of tinnitus?

Tinnitus can stem from a variety of causes, and some cases are temporary while others are long-lasting.

Noise exposure: Prolonged exposure to loud noises is a leading cause. Whether it's a music concert, a Saints game or ongoing use of power tools, loud noise can damage the delicate cells in your inner ear, leading to tinnitus and hearing loss. Factory workers, musicians and members of the armed forces are particularly at risk.

Physical issues and medical conditions:

Earwax build-up: Excessive wax can block the ear canal, causing pressure and impairing sound perception.
Ear and sinus infections: These can create inflammation or pressure in the ear, often leading to temporary tinnitus.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ): The shared nerves between your jaw and ear can lead to ear-related symptoms when disrupted, sometimes accompanied by a "popping" or "clicking" noise.
Cardiovascular issues: High blood pressure or hardened arteries can intensify blood flow sounds near the ear.
Head and neck injuries.
Meniere's Disease and other illnesses like fibromyalgia or Lyme disease can also play a role by affecting the inner ear.
Brain tumors
Hormonal changes in women
Abnormalities in the thyroid, a gland that sits low on the front of the neck.
Side effects of medications
Lifestyle factors, such as high-stress levels or anxiety, can amplify the perception of tinnitus.

How can you treat ringing in the ear?

If you're experiencing ringing in the ear, schedule an appointment with a primary care doctor. While tinnitus doesn't always indicate a serious health problem, persistent or bothersome cases should be professionally evaluated. Here's what you can do to manage temporary tinnitus.

Removing the cause of noise.
Address blockages or build-up: Sometimes, resolving tinnitus can be as simple as removing earwax or clearing an underlying infection. ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialists can perform safe and effective procedures to restore normal auditory function.
Monitor medications: If certain medications are contributing to your tinnitus, your healthcare provider might adjust your dosage or switch you to a safer alternative.
Wear earplugs when around loud noises.
Avoid caffeine.
Lower your blood pressure by adapting a healthy lifestyle or taking medication.

Your primary care doctor might refer you to an ear, nose and throat doctor, who will examine your head, neck and ears and test your hearing to determine whether you have any hearing loss along with the tinnitus. You might also be referred to an audiologist who can measure your hearing and evaluate your tinnitus.

What are long-term solutions for tinnitus?

If your tinnitus isn't easily fixed, specialists can recommend treatments to reduce its impact on your life. These include:

Hearing aids, if the ringing is accompanied by hearing loss
Counseling to learn relaxation and coping techniques
For many people, nighttime ringing is a primary concern, particularly when trying to fall asleep. Commonly used masking strategies include the use of low-volume background music, white noise or simply keeping a fan running at night.
Wearable sound generators, similar to a hearing aid. Think of them as your tiny, personal, white-noise machines that can help mask the ringing.
Tinnitus retraining therapy. These programs typically employ a combination of counseling and sound exposure to help modify the way we perceive and respond to tinnitus.

For chronic or severe cases, advanced procedures and surgeries may be necessary. These include cochlear implants for extreme hearing loss or tympanoplasty (eardrum reconstruction). At Ochsner Health, specialized care for tinnitus includes state-of-the-art surgical interventions and advanced audiology services that cater to patients of all ages.

Can you prevent tinnitus?

A good rule of thumb is that if the noise is loud enough that you must yell to be heard, it's too loud.

Turn down the volume
Walk away from the loud noise
Avoid loud, noisy places
Use hearing protection
Live a healthy lifestyle

Most of us can agree that a quick and easy medicine or supplement to take away the tinnitus would be ideal. With that said, there are many supplements on the market that claim to do just that. Unfortunately, there is limited evidence to support it, and some of these supplements may have potential side effects. Before considering any over-the-counter or online remedies, consult with your doctor to discuss the potential risks and benefits.