Tinnitus Explained

TINNITUS EXPLAINED FACTS, FIGURES, PRECAUTIONS & TREATMENTS Tinnitus comes from the Latin word for ringing, or the perception of sound in the absence of corresponding external sound. It can affect one ear, both ears or can be heard inside the head and can either be ongoing or intermittent. Tinnitus can have variable pitches and can have one or more component noises (such as humming or ringing). Affecting people of all ages, Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. The perception of noise is generated in the auditory pathway of the sufferer. COMMON CAUSES OF TINNITUS Exposure to noise Earwax build-up High stress Severe head injury Meniere's disease Ear infections Anemia Certain medications TINNITUS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM Mild Tinnitus is common, with around 10% of the UK adult population suffering from it on a permanent basis. In up to 1% of adults, it is so serious that it significantly impacts on their overall quality of life. Around 30% of people more than 70yrs of age experience Tinnitus, compared with 12% of people aged 60yrs of age and 1% of those aged below 45yrs of age. 30% * Just like hearing loss, the risk of developing serious Tinnitus increases dramatically as OF THOSE OVER 10 you get older. Those aged 70yrs and above are in the highest risk category. TIPS FOR DEALING WITH TINNITUS • Avoid silence - background noise will divert the mind • Stay calm - getting annoyed will only focus your mind on the issue • Keep busy - this will help distract your mind from the problem • Talk to someone this is a cathartic process • Stay positive - happy people will find the problem less intrusive • Relax - relaxation can reduce the loudness of the Tinnitus • Avoid alcohol and caffeine - dehydration can make the problem worse • Move rooms - this may help break any negative cycles • Accessories can help - such as noise generators to mask the sound o Make sure you seek advice from a qualified Hearing Care Professional PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TINNITUS Protect your ears in noisy environments Use ear-plugs when in a live music venue Keep yourself well hydrated Take 'time-outs' from loud music every hour Exposure to loud music may cause metabolic exhaustion of the hair cells of the cochlea, which transmit sound to the brain. This results in something called 'Temporary Threshold Shift' (TTS) which will cause the individual to experience ringing in the ears. Normally, the suffer will recover after a period of normal noise levels. When in loud music environments, you should follow the precautions above to protect your ears and your hearing. LINKS BETWEEN TINNITUS & HEARING LOSS Tinnitus can be a symptom of a type or degree of hearing loss. It's known that those exposed to loud noise over long periods of time can experience both hearing loss and Tinnitus, which is consistent with damage to the inner ear. Your cochlea (part of the inner COCHLEA ains delicate and sensitive ear) hair cells that can be damaged through exposure to excessive levels of sound. When this happens, it can lead to a lack in clarity in your hearing and the same damage can trigger Tinnitus. A lot of people suffering from Tinnitus report that hearing aids can be helpful in dealing with the condition. They can strengthen the surrounding environmental sounds and distract your brain from Tinnitus. CELEBRITIES WITH TINNITUS Chris Martin Steve Martin Pete Townshend Eric Clapton Sylvester Stallone Barbra Streisand Oscar Wilde Bob Dylan Ozzy Ozborne Leonard Nimoy Phil Collins Joan of Arç HIDDEN HEARING WE LISTEN, YOU HEAR