What is Tinnitus? ATA Explains

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) defines tinnitus as “the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source is present.” One of the most common ways of developing tinnitus is exposure to sounds that are too loud. What sounds are considered too loud? American and European standards state that exposure to sounds over 85 dB for an eight-hour period could cause problems (ata.org). ATA offers the following guideline:

“If you are standing three feet away from someone and cannot hear what they are saying, the noise level could be damaging to your health.”

Other causes of tinnitus include head and neck trauma, certain disorders (hypo- or hyperthyroidism, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and thoracic outlet syndrome), certain types of tumors, wax build-up, jaw misalignment, cardiovascular disease, and ototoxicity. Regardless, it is important to remember that tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. Hearing loss and tinnitus can occur simultaneously, but this is not always the case (ata.org). Consult your audiologist if you think you may be effected by tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

Tinnitus can be extremely intrusive, effecting one’s ability to concentrate, work, and maintain healthy relationships. This can leave one feeling extremely isolated, when in reality, about 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus (ata.org).

“About 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus (ata.org).”

Tinnitus ranges from a brief tone (transient tinnitus) heard at night to a continuous sound of varying pitch levels. It effects men and women of all ages and backgrounds. Although there is no cure for tinnitus, there are ways to manage it, including sound therapy, medications, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, and cognitive behavioral therapy (Tinnitus Today).

Check out the following video with Dr. Jack Vernon, Ph.D., co-founder of the American Tinnitus Association and an honorary director, to learn more about tinnitus:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSwZ0HHaDLQ]

The American Tinnitus Association offers a wonderful list of tips on how to manage tinnitus, including diagnosing and understanding, finding effective treatment and care, the effect of one’s attitude on their tinnitus, and information on support. Click here to learn more.

SOURCES: ata.org, Tinnitus Today