Tinnitus is the No. 1 disability among veterans. Veterans have higher rates of tinnitus than the general public due to the noise levels they encounter while in service, including gunfire, machinery and aircraft. Read more to learn what is tinnitus and what you can do to seek treatment.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is defined as “the perception of sound in the absence of external sound.” This basically means that sounds — ringing in ears, whistling or buzzing — can only be heard by the person affected.
There are two types of tinnitus
- Acute tinnitus: Sudden onset of ringing in the ears, with no explanation, and lasting less than three months. Any sudden change in your hearing or ears should lead you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT). This includes acute tinnitus, any noticeable change to your sense of hearing or the sound of the world around you. Many ailments are totally treatable — but they need to be treated early.
- Chronic tinnitus: A consistent ringing in the ears, lasting longer than three months. We strongly recommend consulting a hearing care professional who is trained and experienced in treating tinnitus patients. These professionals have in-depth knowledge of different tinnitus treatment options and will thoroughly discuss your individual needs and possible solutions with you.
Causes of tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a symptom of some other underlying health condition. According to ATA, potential causes of tinnitus could include:
- Loud noise exposure
- Head/neck trauma
- Presbycusis (hearing loss due to aging)
- Ototoxic medications
- Common ailments (i.e., anemia, allergies, impacted earwax, diabetes)
Untreated tinnitus
While some people can ignore their tinnitus most of the time, leaving it untreated can put a strain on your well-being. It can lead to stress, concentration problems, sleeplessness, social isolation and depression.
The best solution is to seek out a hearing care professional. Through a series of tests, he or she can help provide the next steps to treat your tinnitus.