Tinnitus is the medical term for ringing or ringing in the ears. Nearly 19 million people in Germany have experienced tinnitus, usually and fortunately only temporarily. Tinnitus is often experienced as whistling, hissing or buzzing. The various noises in the head or ears have one thing in common: with rare exceptions, only the person affected hears them. Read here how tinnitus develops and what you can do about it. How strong is your tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease
Ringing or ringing in the ears is a symptom, comparable to pain or fever. A tinnitus is also a warning signal that we have overdone it – in the physical or in the mental area. Therefore, it is not the symptom of tinnitus that must be treated as a matter of priority, but rather the causes must be eliminated. This is all the more important because tinnitus can in turn lead to numerous psychological and physical complaints. Examples of these complaints are sleep problems, concentration disorders, anxiety and depression or stress.
Causes and risk factors
A number of triggers of tinnitus are known, and several others are suspected. Nevertheless, the exact cause or trigger is often unclear until now. In this case, one speaks of idiopathic tinnitus. If one gets to the bottom of possible causes, one must first distinguish between an objective and a subjective tinnitus. An objective tinnitus can also be heard by other people or mapped by medical measurements. In this case, the tinnitus is often clicking or pulsating. Possible causes of objective tinnitus are:
- Movements of the musculature in the inner ear
- Constricted blood vessels
- Diseases of the heart valve
- Anemia (anemia)
A subjective tinnitus can only be heard by the sufferer. He is also not measurable by medical devices. The possible causes are particularly diverse here. Among other things, come into question:
- Inflammation of the ear or even the respiratory tract.
- Noise damage (sonic trauma or constant exposure to noise),
- Diving accidents
- Organic diseases such as autoimmune diseases
- Tumors of the auditory nerve
- Side effects of medications
- Problems with the cervical spine or in the dental-jaw area.
Tinnitus is also often a concomitant symptom of Meniere’s disease associated with rotary vertigo and hearing loss. As influencing and risk factors are also discussed alcohol, nicotine, various foods and – especially – stress.
Diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus
As a mechanism of origin of tinnitus, circulatory disturbances in the inner ear are primarily held responsible; possibly, an unfavorable signal processing in the brain is also the basis. Prolonged tinnitus should be examined by an ear, nose, and throat specialist. A discussion of the history of the illness (anamnesis) is usually followed by a physical examination. During this examination, the ears, the paranasal sinuses and the throat are examined. By listening to the blood flow in the ear and carotid artery, a possible constriction of the vessels can be determined. Hearing and functional tests of the ossicles and auditory nerve are also part of the diagnosis. Depending on the cause, tinnitus can be treated well. More often, however, no direct triggers are found at all. In both cases, the ringing in the ears can subside completely – spontaneously or with the help of therapy. Sometimes, however, the tinnitus persists – the longer the tinnitus lasts, the more likely this is. From three months, one speaks of chronic tinnitus. After three to twelve months, there are hardly any sufferers for whom the tinnitus disappears again – this means they have to learn to live with it.
Acute tinnitus
If ringing or ringing in the ears occur for the first time and have not subsided after a few hours or a full night’s sleep, the doctor should be consulted. If there are further symptoms such as hearing loss or dizziness, the following applies: see a doctor immediately! The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances that the tinnitus will disappear! The chances of recovery are greatest in the first three months. If there are no organic causes or they have been sufficiently treated, the doctor will usually start an infusion therapy. The aim is to improve blood flow to the inner ear. If this therapy is unsuccessful, inpatient treatment may be considered.In special clinics, other possible causes can be diagnosed and other therapeutic approaches can be applied, such as pressure chamber therapy, also called HBO therapy (hyperbaric oxygen therapy). This is intended to increase the oxygen supply in the vessels of the inner ear. Physiotherapeutic procedures can also be initiated promptly for complaints of the jaw or cervical spine. An opportunity for many sufferers is also the chance to find peace away from the stress and hectic pace of everyday life and to concentrate on themselves and their health. Clinics with an interdisciplinary, holistic therapy concept can find and treat various health disorders and individual risk factors and thus deeper causes of tinnitus. Important: In acute cases, see a doctor immediately. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances that the tinnitus will disappear!
Chronic tinnitus
If the noise in the ear persists for more than three months, it is unlikely to go away. This condition is called chronic tinnitus. Nevertheless, those affected can largely lead a carefree and fulfilling life. The term “chronic tinnitus” merely means that persistent or constantly recurring ringing in the ears is present. It does not mean that the affected person is suffering or ill because of it. Nevertheless, tinnitus can take on the character of a disease if it becomes a heavy burden in daily life and if further complaints result from it. Tinnitus then becomes the noise of the soul. Consequential symptoms can be, for example:
- Concentration disorders
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Hypersensitivity to loud sounds (hyperacusis).
- Depressive phases
- Limitation of social contacts
- Temporary loss of self-confidence
Living with tinnitus
Even with a chronic tinnitus, some things can be done. It is necessary to counter resignation and fear – often also due to a lack of or incorrect information – and learn to live with the tinnitus. In most cases, tinnitus becomes bearable: education, self-help and support groups make it fade into the background. The majority of those affected manage to accept the ringing in their ears by consciously devoting their attention to important things or other noises. This is called compensated tinnitus. Sometimes this learning process towards a tolerable tinnitus takes time, and some also need therapeutic help. Nevertheless, many sufferers manage to live with their tinnitus. Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be an effective measure to improve the quality of life in chronic tinnitus and to reduce depressive moods. In any case, it is important to reduce stress as much as possible, not to isolate oneself, and to do as much good for oneself as possible. Finding inner peace: 9 tips for more serenity
