Tinnitus and Hearing Loss: Exploring the Connection and Overlapping Symptoms

At some point, many people have experienced a ringing, buzzing or hissing sensation in the ears. It’s known as tinnitus in medical circles and often precedes hearing loss. The question, however, is why it often comes hand in hand with decline ear health. Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying hearing condition. An audiologist remains the best person to contact if you often experience tinnitus. Before you do, however, it would help to explore the connection between hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Ringing Ear and Other Phantom Sounds

People who have experienced tinnitus say it’s like having a tune stuck in your ear, except it’s a sound you wish would stop. You’re the only one who perceives the variation of sounds tinnitus brings – which gives it the description phantom sounds. Whether it’s a humming noise, ringing, roaring or buzzing, there’s more to tinnitus that needs extensive reading to understand what it is.

Imagine moving away from a loud concert to a quieter area, only to hear ringing in one or both ears. That sensation is what people who have experienced it say tinnitus sounds like. Some experience this only for a few minutes, and it clears up. You may have nothing to worry about if it doesn’t happen often. The issue, however, is when tinnitus is persistent, at which point an audiologist comes into the picture.

The Link Between Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Why would your ears produce sounds when there are no external stimuli? Some medical books on hearing loss describe tinnitus as compensation for what the ears should be doing. When the ears lose hearing ability, the brain tries to compensate for auditory lack, which often presents as phantom sounds. By creating its internal sounds, tinnitus begins, requiring an audiologist. The brain tries to fill the gaps by producing sounds to stimulate the auditory pathway.

Years of research have proven that tinnitus and hearing loss are connected, explaining why one is often a precursor to the other. Therefore, seeing an audiologist when you notice a persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears is crucial. For example, increasing the television volume to high levels when everyone around you feels it’s loud. In such cases, it’s best to book a hearing appointment immediately.

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids with masking features help cover up those phantom sounds. They’re designed with features that make persistent ringing, roaring and buzzing sounds hard to notice. In effect, they give you relief from tinnitus, improving your ability to focus on sounds you’d rather hear.

Sound Machines

Sound machines also give a calming background with the sole purpose of distracting you from tinnitus sounds. There’s also the option to have tinnitus retraining therapy. A combination of sound therapy and counseling can improve your response to phantom sounds.

Lifestyle Modifications

Lastly, some lifestyle modifications, like cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking, may help alleviate tinnitus symptoms. Your audiologist may educate you on certain medications that worsen tinnitus symptoms. Be mindful of excess earwax, as that could worsen tinnitus sounds. An audiologist will be able provide you with a specific treatment plan tailored to your needs.