Tinnitus and Hearing Loss: What’s the Connection?

Have you ever experienced a ringing or buzzing in your ears after spending hours at a loud concert? Do you sometimes hear these annoying sounds randomly or for no apparent reason? For many, this fades after a couple of hours or days. But for some, this condition—known as tinnitus—is permanent.

Tinnitus is a common problem affecting millions. Tinnitus is also more common as you age, and the prevalence increases from 10% for young adults to 24% for older adults.

Tinnitus can be an immense pain and cause sleep, concentration, emotional, thought process, and hearing issues. So, what is tinnitus, how it is connected to hearing loss, and should you get hearing aids for tinnitus? We'll cover all that and more in this article.

You may also be interested in:

• Ringing in Ears? Cost and Value of Best OTC Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
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Part 1: What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus ("ringing in the ear") is a condition that triggers a sound inside your head that has no external source where it's coming from.

When your ear or auditory nerves are damaged, sometimes the brain compensates for the lack of sounds from the outside world. It does this by making the auditory system more active, producing the ear's ringing or buzzing sounds.

There are different types of tinnitus:

• Subjective Tinnitus– The majority of people with tinnitus have subjective tinnitus, which means only they can hear the sounds.
• Objective Tinnitus– In rare cases, some people have objective tinnitus due to underlying medical conditions. This kind of tinnitus pulsates, often matching their heartbeat, and can be heard by others.
• Somatosensory Tinnitus– People with somatosensory tinnitus experience ringing in the ear or sound quality changes either when they move their head, neck, or eyes or touch certain parts of their body.

Many individuals with persistent tinnitus and hearing loss ask, "Can you get disability for hearing loss and tinnitus?" The answer depends on the severity of the condition and its impact on daily life. Severe cases that hinder communication or work performance may qualify for disability benefits. Similarly, people often wonder, "Is tinnitus a disability?" While not always classified as one, tinnitus can be considered a disability if it significantly disrupts concentration, communication, or overall quality of life. When linked to hearing loss and daily impairment, it may qualify for certain benefits. Proper medical evaluation and documentation are key to determining eligibility.

Part 2: Symptoms of Tinnitus

People experience tinnitus in different ways and forms, so symptoms vary from person to person. Tinnitus can be heard as ringing, buzzing, whistling, clicking, chirping, humming, roaring, shrieking, or hissing. In some people, tinnitus switches between these types of sounds.

Some people with tinnitus feel that the sound is coming from a distance, even though it seems to have no source and is present in various environments. It can be a steady sound, or intermittent.

Tinnitus can occur in one ear, both ears, or inside your head. However, tinnitus in one ear, or tinnitus that suddenly changes, is abnormal and should be evaluated by an ENT.

Whatever the case, tinnitus can be distracting and irritating. More importantly, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition, including hearing loss.

Part 3: The Connection Between Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

It's possible to experience tinnitus without hearing loss or vice versa. However, the majority of those who suffer from chronic tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss.

An early study in France determined a correlation between tinnitus and hearing loss experiences. For example, age- or noise-related hearing loss was typically accompanied by a constant, high-pitched tinnitus sound. In contrast, hearing loss due to Meniere's disease typically coincided with a fluctuating, low humming sound. Researchers also found that the perceived loudness of the sound produced by tinnitus has a strong association with the degree of hearing loss.

More recent studies indicated a strong link between tinnitus severity and hearing loss. People with no tinnitus or low- to medium-frequency tinnitus (125∼2,000 Hz) have better hearing, whereas those with high-frequency tinnitus (3,000∼8,000 Hz) have worse hearing.

Part 4: Causes of Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Scientists don't know exactly what causes tinnitus, but like general hearing loss, tinnitus has been linked to:

• Exposure to loud noises
• Earwax buildup
• Ear and sinus infections
• Migraine headaches and head injuries
• Certain types of tumors in or around the ear or in the brain
• Otosclerosis
• Meniere's disease (including chronic vertigo and other health problems)
• High doses of caffeine and cigarette use
• Certain drugs or medications (e.g., aspirin, NSAIDs, antibiotics, antimalarials, anticonvulsants, cancer drugs, diuretics, and antidepressants)
• Anemia
• Heart disease and hypertension
• Thyroid abnormalities and hormonal changes
• Vascular disease
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Stress

Part 5: Protect Your Hearing To Prevent Tinnitus

Tinnitus often goes away on its own and may not cause you any permanent problems. In other cases, chronic tinnitus can become more than an annoyance. If left untreated, it can interfere with one's ability to sleep, concentrate, work, and even lead to distress and depression. Protecting your hearing from loud noises is one of the best ways to prevent tinnitus.

• Use hearing protection when loud noises can't be avoided (e.g., ear plugs, ear muffs)
• Distance yourself from loud noises when possible
• Keep the volume down on the headphones, radio, TV, etc.
• Give your ears a break from loud music or noise
• Avoid activities and places that are loud and noisy

The effects of a loud noise depend on how loud it is and how long you're exposed to it. The best hearing protection is to avoid loud noises altogether.

Part 6: How Hearing Aids Can Assist with Sound Perception?

Since tinnitus and hearing challenges often occur together, many individuals find that hearing aids can enhance their overall listening experience. Wearing hearing aids helps provide clearer sound input, allowing the brain to focus on external sounds rather than internal noise. Some users report that hearing aids create a more balanced auditory environment, making certain sounds less prominent. Additionally, hearing aids can adjust background noise levels to a comfortable range, which may help with sound perception.

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