What is the cause of tinnitus?
If you’ve done research, you’ve probably discovered that there is no cure for tinnitus. However, assorted therapies, tools and hearing aids can help manage ringing in the ears and deliver tinnitus relief. What is the cause of tinnitus? It could be caused by a trigger or malfunction in the hearing system, whilst exposure to high levels of noise on a continuous basis is likely to result in tinnitus too.
Why tinnitus and hearing loss go hand-in-hand
When we hear, sound is funneled through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Microscopic hair cells inside the inner ear are responsible for carrying sound through auditory nerves to the brain. Hearing loss can occur at any stage of this process: the outer ear, the middle ear, the hair cells, the auditory nerve or the brain.
Tinnitus can be caused by a impacted wax in the ear canal, middle ear disease such as fluid or Meniere’s Syndrome or by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear; and it can be caused by inappropriate firing of nerve cells within the brain.
It's likely that what’s causing your tinnitus is also causing hearing loss
Because both hearing loss and, likely, tinnitus are caused or triggered by the same “malfunction” in our hearing system, there’s a good chance that if you have tinnitus, you’ll also experience hearing loss. We see that often. But not always.
Why? Because there are other triggers for tinnitus that aren’t caused by problems with the ear. For instance, medications (particularly high doses of aspirin), stress, high blood pressure, heart disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disfunction can cause tinnitus.
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
While there is no cure for tinnitus, Starkey’s proprietary Multiflex Tinnitus Technology has been clinically proven to provide relief for ringing in the ears. This patent-pending technology is available in our Livio AI and SoundLens® Synergy®. Go here to see how it works. Additionally, many patients love our free mobile app, Relax! Learn more and download it here!
If you are experiencing tinnitus or looking for a cure for your hearing loss, a visit with qualified hearing healthcare professional should be the first stop in finding a cause for your tinnitus. Because hearing loss is often associated with tinnitus, ruling out hearing loss makes sense. If hearing loss is detected, it is likely that the tinnitus is related to the hearing loss. If no hearing loss is detected, it’s time for a visit your GP to explore other possibilities.
Not sure how to find a hearing healthcare professional? Call 0800 042 0000 or click here and we’ll connect you with a trusted provider near you.