Do you ever notice a shift in your hearing when the room is quiet? Or hear a faint tone or buzzing sound that seems to appear out of nowhere? It can go away abruptly or keep returning and become background noise.
Hearing these noises might mean you have tinnitus, but it doesn’t just have one specific sound or pattern. Learning about tinnitus can make it easier to manage, and knowing what’s causing it gives you the chance to take care of any underlying causes that are affecting your hearing.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is most often described as a ringing in the ears, and while that is the most common sound, it can also sound like:
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Whistling
- Humming
- Echoing
- Pulsing
- Whooshing
These noises usually seem to come from inside your head rather than from external stimuli. They can be persistent or intermittent, or last for only a few seconds at a time.
Why Does Tinnitus Sound Different for Everyone?
It’s important to know that tinnitus can sound different from person to person. Changes in how sound travels through your ears can also create an echoing, muffled, or plugged sensation.
Pay attention to whether your symptoms affect one or both of your ears, and whether you notice any pain, drainage, dizziness, or a sudden change in your hearing. If your tinnitus sounds different, becomes more persistent, or shows any unusual changes, it is worth having your hearing evaluated to find out what’s causing the issue.
The Most Common Causes of Tinnitus
There isn’t one answer to what causes tinnitus, but there are common causes and contributing factors to look out for:
Hearing Loss: Changes in how your brain processes sound may contribute to you developing tinnitus. Hearing ringing in your ears may be one of the first signs that your hearing has changed, even when you haven’t noticed an obvious shift.
Loud Noise Exposure: Even one very loud noise can affect your hearing, and repeated exposure to loud sounds causes damage over time. If you notice ringing or other unusual sounds in your ears after being in a loud environment, take a break and remember to use hearing protection in the future.
Age-Related Hearing Changes: As you age, changes in your inner ear can affect how your brain receives and processes sound. This can result in tinnitus, even if you’re not experiencing any hearing loss. If the ringing in your ears becomes more frequent or persistent, an evaluation can help determine if any age-related hearing changes are the cause.
Earwax and Ear-Related Conditions: Excessive earwax can block your ear canal, potentially causing ringing, muffled hearing, or plugged ears. Ear infections, pressure changes, and other ear conditions can also cause a ringing or pulsing sensation. If you’re experiencing tinnitus due to an ear issue,
Medications: Certain medications can contribute to tinnitus or make existing symptoms more noticeable. It depends on the medication, dosage, and individual factors. If you think a medication may be affecting your hearing, talk with your doctor about the symptoms you’re experiencing and whether an adjustment or alternative may be appropriate.
Other Causes: Tinnitus can also be associated with conditions affecting the head or neck, jaw problems, and other less common medical issues. Stress, fatigue, and poor sleep may make tinnitus more noticeable or harder to ignore, although they aren’t necessarily the underlying cause. You should discuss any recurring or persistent symptoms with a hearing professional.
Should You Schedule a Hearing Evaluation?
Occasional, brief ringing doesn’t necessarily require an appointment. However, you should consider having your hearing evaluated if your tinnitus becomes persistent, more frequent, or disruptive.
Get an evaluation if you notice:
- Tinnitus primarily in one ear
- Ringing accompanied by muffled hearing
- A noticeable change in hearing
- Tinnitus affecting sleep or concentration
- Symptoms after significant noise exposure
- Pulsing or whooshing that seems to follow your heartbeat
What Happens During a Hearing Evaluation for Tinnitus?
If you mention hearing a ringing in your ears during your hearing evaluation, the hearing care specialist may ask when the sound began, whether it comes and goes, which ear is affected, what it sounds like, and whether you’ve noticed muffled hearing or other changes.
Depending on your symptoms and test results, you may be referred to a medical professional for additional evaluation. This is especially important if the tinnitus coincides with any sudden hearing changes, significant dizziness, or ear drainage.
How is Tinnitus Treated or Managed?
Managing your tinnitus depends on what’s causing it and how much it affects your daily life. There isn’t one solution that works for everyone.
If it’s being caused by an underlying problem, addressing it will improve the ringing in your ears. There are hearing aid models that offer built-in tinnitus management. You can also try sound-based strategies, counseling, and behavioral techniques. While there is no universal cure, treating your tinnitus means addressing any contributing factors and reducing its impact on your everyday life.
What Can You Do If You Have Tinnitus?
A few practical steps can help you manage your tinnitus or prevent it from affecting you:
- Use appropriate hearing protection around loud sounds and limit prolonged exposure in high-volume environments.
- Take note of when the tinnitus occurs, how long it lasts, which ear it’s in, and anything that seems to make it more prevalent.
- Don’t assume that any sudden change in your hearing is due to the tinnitus.
Understanding Your Hearing Is a Good Place to Start
Tinnitus can be frustrating, especially when you aren’t sure why you’re hearing sounds that no one else can hear. You don’t have to figure out the cause on your own. A hearing evaluation can give you a clearer picture of your hearing and help determine whether there are hearing changes that may be connected to your tinnitus.
If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and have questions about the ringing in your ears, Beltone DFW offers in-office hearing evaluations at any of our hearing aid centers and personalized guidance on the next steps.
