Whenever you experience a new feeling or sound that you're not used to, it can be very alarming. One of these instances may be when you get a short burst of tinnitus in one or both of your ears. This could have you thinking you are in the early stages of hearing loss or that you've caused damage to your ears.

What Could Those Short Bursts of Ringing Be?

In actuality, most people do experience short bursts of tinnitus in one or both ears from time to time. This is not linked to any permanent tinnitus or hearing loss. For most people, this experience lasts for about a minute or two and then goes away. Audiologists often refer to this phenomenon as sudden or brief tinnitus. But, you may hear it also referred to as unilateral, spontaneous, and tapering tinnitus.

What Exactly is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom that is often characterized by ringing in the ears. Some patients hear variations of noise, including clicking, whistling, hissing, buzzing, and swooshing. In all cases of tinnitus, there is no acoustic or external source of the noise. It's thought that tinnitus is the result of the brain creating a new sensation to take the place of sound.

You can divide tinnitus into three main categories. These include brief or spontaneous, acute, and chronic. While brief tinnitus lasts for only a couple of minutes, acute tinnitus can last for hours or even days. Most people with acute tinnitus deal with this after exposure to loud noise. In chronic tinnitus cases, you experience ringing for at least three months or more.

The Link Between Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Tinnitus is a well-documented symptom of hearing loss. But, it's completely possible for tinnitus to occur with the absence of hearing loss. In cases of brief or spontaneous hearing loss, tinnitus can be an early warning sign of hearing loss. This is due to the fact that the brain doesn't receive as much external sound stimuli as it received in the past. The buzzing or ringing that you may hear is your brain trying to make up for that lack of sound.

When Should You See A Doctor?

If you hear short bursts of tinnitus from time to time, it's not a cause for concern. If you deal with tinnitus on a consistent basis, it's time to talk with a medical professional. There are various treatments that can help you to manage the symptoms of tinnitus.

Call Us Today

If you've been experiencing ringing in one or both of your ears, then it's time to give us a call. Let our hearing care professionals test your hearing. We can provide you with the right treatment options to better manage your tinnitus.