Ringing the alarm on Tinnitus with Midland Hearing Care

Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, affects millions of people worldwide. For many, it can intrude on sleep, affect concentration and quality of life.

Tinnitus is a common medical condition, affecting 10-15% of the population. In simple terms, it is the perception of a "phantom sound", (not audible to others), when there is no external sound source.

Impact of Tinnitus

For some, tinnitus is an issue that builds gradually. For others, it can present itself quite suddenly. It can be a temporary affliction or one that, unfortunately for some, becomes an ongoing issue especially if stress is chronic and long-standing.

Common causes of tinnitus

Tinnitus is a multifactorial problem often caused by one or more of the following:

• Loud noise exposure: Being exposed to loud noises in work (construction/industry) or recreationally (music/motor sport/gun sport) without ear protection can result in noise induced hearing loss.
• Hearing loss: If inner ear (cochlea) ‘’hairs’’ are damaged – due to age or when regularly exposed to loud sounds, they can "create" random electrical impulses to your brain, perceived as tinnitus.
• Ear infection or ear canal blockage: A buildup of fluid (ear infection), earwax, dirt or other foreign materials. A blockage in the ear canal or middle ear can change the pressure in your ear, causing tinnitus.
• Head or neck injuries: Head or neck trauma can affect the inner ear, hearing nerves or brain function linked to hearing. Such injuries usually cause tinnitus in only one ear.
• Medications: Medications known to cause tinnitus include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, water pills (diuretics), anti-malarial drugs and antidepressants. Always consult your Pharmacist.
• Ear bone changes: Stiffening of the bones in your middle ear (otosclerosis) may affect your hearing and cause tinnitus. This condition, caused by abnormal bone growth, tends to run in families.
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: Problems with the TMJ (teeth clenching or grinding), can cause tinnitus. Seek advice from your Dentist.
• Blood vessel disorders: Conditions that affect your blood vessels such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, can cause blood to move through veins and arteries with more force. These blood flow changes can cause pulsatile tinnitus or
  make tinnitus more noticeable.
• Other chronic conditions: Conditions including diabetes, thyroid problems, migraines, anaemia, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have all been associated with tinnitus.

Treating these linked conditions may not affect tinnitus directly, but it can help you feel better.

Strategies to reduce tinnitus

• Wear ear protection. 
• Turn down the volume. 
• Take care of your cardiovascular health. 
• Healthy diet and regular exercise
• Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. 
• Stress management
• Sound enrichment (avoid silence)

We are here to help

Midland Hearing Care offers expertise in tinnitus assessment and management strategies.

Consider having a formal diagnostic hearing assessment to determine the origin of tinnitus and if hearing aid rehabilitation is required or an onward referral to other medical professionals or cognitive behavioural therapy.

Please get in touch:

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Email us at info@midlandhearingcare.com or give us a call on 043 336 8029nmk. ,

Clinic hours: By appointment only. Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. Please note: our clinic is closed for lunch 1pm-2pm daily.

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