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by Better Hearing Institute (BHI), February 24, 2009
 (ARA) – If it seems like your ears ring constantly, it’s
probably not your imagination or the economy . . . and
you’re not alone. You may have tinnitus, an inner ear
ailment that affects between 25 million to 50 million
Americans -- with about 12 million people
experiencing such severe symptoms it affects their
daily lives.
The good news is treatment, including hearing aids,
can offer relief to some suffering the persistent
ringing, buzzing or humming associated with tinnitus,
says the Better Hearing Institute.
Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant. Causes range from ear infections and overexposure
to extremely loud noises, to underlying health problems like allergies or heart
and blood pressure problems. Often, sufferers are unable to pinpoint the cause of their
tinnitus.
“Tinnitus can have a direct impact on a person’s emotional well being,” says Dr. Sergei
Kochkin, BHI’s executive director. “Not only can their hearing be affected but also their
ability to sleep and to concentrate.”
Kochkin and Dr. Richard Tyler, a professor in the University of Iowa’s otolaryngology
and communication sciences and disorders departments and editor of The Consumer
Handbook on Tinnitus (Auricle Ink, 2008), published an article in the December 2008
Hearing Review on their survey of 230 hearing health professionals in the United States
and Canada. Their survey found that six out of 10 patients reported some tinnitus relief
when using hearing aids and two out of 10 reported major relief.
The symptoms of tinnitus “influence basic life functions such as socialization and
relaxation,” the duo wrote. “In severe cases it can interfere with the individual’s ability to
perform adequately on the job, or contribute to psychological disorders such as
depression, suicide ideation, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and anger.”
Although tinnitus is actually common and can cause major life disruptions, the number
of sufferers who seek treatment for the problem is relatively small. One reason may be
that they mistakenly believe their condition is untreatable. Unfortunately, many doctors
are also unaware of the latest treatment option, BHI says. Patients may think they
simply have to learn to live with the noise.
“No one should ever ignore persistent tinnitus,” Kochkin says. “Not only is every
individual entitled to a chance to regain his or her quality of life, but in rare cases tinnitus
also can be a symptom of a more serious health issue that could demand medical
intervention. What’s more, nearly everyone with tinnitus has hearing loss as well.”
In a recent large-scale survey by the Better Hearing Institute of the American hearing impaired
population, 39 percent (more than 9 million adult Americans) indicated they
had not sought help for their hearing loss specifically because they also had tinnitus.
“Research shows that untreated hearing loss has its own negative social, psychological,
cognitive and health effects on the individual suffering from it,” Kochkin adds. “So the
individual with both untreated tinnitus and untreated hearing loss suffers an even more
diminished quality of life than individuals with just tinnitus or just hearing loss.”
While hearing aids are not a cure for tinnitus, they may be able to help tinnitus patients
by:
- Improving communication and reducing stress, which makes it easier to cope
with the condition.
- Amplifying background sounds, which can make tinnitus seem less loud and
prominent.
A new type of hearing aid, called the open fit hearing aid, may be particularly useful in
alleviating tinnitus. The open fit hearing aid can reduce the effects of the tinnitus ringing
sensation while still allowing sounds from the outside to pass into the ear.
If you think you have tinnitus have your hearing evaluated by a hearing health
professional and to explore the use of hearing aids to alleviate tinnitus. The American
Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO-HNS) and the American Tinnitus Association
recommends these additional tips for minimizing the effects of tinnitus on your health:
- Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.
- Get your blood pressure checked. If it is high, get your doctor’s help to control it.
- Decrease your intake of salt. Salt impairs blood circulation.
- Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola, and tobacco.
- Exercise daily to improve your circulation.
- Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.
- Eliminate or reduce some stress in different parts of your life; stress often makes
tinnitus worse.
- Experiment by eliminating other possible sources of tinnitus aggravation, e.g.
artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medications.
(Do not stop taking medications without consulting with your health care
professional about the possible ototoxic impact of your medications.)
Furthermore the Better Hearing Institute recommends that in addition to the practical
tips above (which apply to a healthy lifestyle for all people) that people with tinnitus may
receive benefit by simply understanding the causes, myths and facts about tinnitus
through either counseling or self-help books. “We believe that if hearing health
professionals can provide effective treatment for tinnitus, they also can be instrumental
in motivating people to concurrently treat their hearing loss,” Kochkin says. “This would
have a double impact in improving the quality of life for millions of Americans.”
To learn more, visit www.betterhearing.org or call the Better Hearing Institute hotline at
(800) EAR-WELL (800-327-9355).
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Editor’s Note:
Founded in 1973, The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) conducts research and engages in
hearing health education with the goal of helping people with hearing loss to benefit
from proper treatment.
Photo Courtesy of Auricle Ink (2008)
Please see article on Hearing aids offer hope for people who suffer from tinnitus
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