Tinnitus causes
There are a variety of tinnitus causes.
- Aging: Some tinnitus is associated with age-related hearing loss. As you age, the amount of nerve fibers in your ears decrease, possibly causing hearing problems often associated with tinnitus.
- Loud noise: Another of the most common tinnitus causes is loud noise. If you’ve been exposed to loud music, gunshots or explosions, or loud noise from construction or gardening machines, you may find yourself suffering from tinnitus.
- Earwax: Sometimes earwax blockage can also cause tinnitus.
- Medications: Some medications also appear to be tinnitus causes, with tinnitus as a side effect.
- Other: Upper respiratory infections or jap popping joint (TMJ) disorders can also cause tinnitus.
Tinnitus symptoms
Tinnitus can arrive without warning and disappear again, or it can be more chronic.
In addition to the persistent noise you hear, you may also suffer stress, sleep problems, anxiety or depression – all of which can make your tinnitus worse, a sort of vicious circle.
That’s why it’s important to talk to a hearing care professional so you can manage your tinnitus.
How to keep tinnitus from getting worse
When tinnitus is unexpected and unwelcomed, it can lead to a negative reaction to the tinnitus. This can create a vicious cycle. When tinnitus is perceived, it can prompt emotions, including frustration, fear, unhappiness, etc. These can, in turn, cause physical reactions such as anxiety and stress. This reinforces the tinnitus and perpetuates the cycle.
How to break the cycle:
1. Initial appereance of tinnitus
2. Increased awareness of tinnitus
3. Negative reaction
4. Increased attention to tinnitus
5. Chronic tinnitus
6. Tinnitus management
Manage your tinnitus
Sound therapy with specialized background noise can also help.