Link Between Noise-Induced Hearing Loss & Tinnitus

The Mayo Clinic describes tinnitus as “when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn’t caused by an external sound, and other people usually can’t hear it.”  According to the NIDCD (National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders) “Roughly 10 percent of the U.S. adult population, or about 25 million Americans, has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year”.  While Tinnitus symptoms can range from irritating to debilitating, it is not actually a disorder on its own but a symptom of an underlying cause. Experts are still studying this issue and it’s many causes, but most often it is linked to exposure to noise and subsequent hearing loss.

Long term exposure to loud sounds seems to be the most common cause of tinnitus. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus also experienced some noise-induced or sensorineural hearing loss. Loud noises can cause permanent damage to the cells of the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ located in the inner ear. Many professions including pilots, musicians, construction workers and landscapers, etcetera, can put someone in danger of experiencing noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus. Even single exposure to an extremely loud noise can also lead to tinnitus.

While loud noises are the most common cause, several other conditions can lead to tinnitus, for instance, blockages of the ear, certain drugs, The natural aging process, several common and rare diseases, and other medical conditions. Even some neck or jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, or injuries to the head and neck can cause ringing in the ears.  If you experience ringing in your ears the best course of action is to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Tinnitus and its Relationship to Hearing Loss

It is clear that there is a strong correlation between tinnitus and hearing loss.  The Hearing Loss Association of America states that, of the 50 million Americans experiencing tinnitus, 90 percent of them also are diagnosed with hearing loss. Tinnitus will often even follow the pattern of your unique hearing loss. For instance, those with trouble hearing high frequencies,  will usually experience a high-pitched phantom sound. When hearing loss is only in one ear, the tinnitus follows that pattern as well.

How the Ear Works

The ear is an amazing and complicated system! When you a noise happens with in hearing distance, those soundwaves enter your ear and are converted to vibration by the eardrum.  Those vibrations are sent to the inner ear, where tiny hair cells, or cilia, in the cochlea convert the vibration into an electrical impulse. These are then sent through the auditory nerve to the brain where many complicated processes occur to interpret all the various sounds.

Many factors such as aging, exposure to noise, illness, or even some medications can damage the sensitive cilia, causing hearing loss. When your brain starts getting less auditory information, it tries to compensate in many ways. One thing scientist have noticed that the brain does to compensate is to make the remaining hearing more sensitive: a process known as raising the gain. This is one explanation why some people with tinnitus can become more sensitive to loud noises.

Protecting your hearing

Even though more research is needed to determine the exact connection, audiologists agree that exposure to noise can lead to both hearing loss and tinnitus.

This is why it is so important to avoid exposure to loud noises whenever possible. When it cannot be avoided, using hearing protection is essential. Over-the-counter earplugs are better than nothing, but custom-fit earplugs or sound canceling earmuffs are the best way to avoid noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

Seeking treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus

If you believe you are experiencing tinnitus and/or hearing loss the most important thing you can do is reach out to your doctor for treatment.  They will most likely refer you to an audiologist or other hearing professional who can determine the cause of your condition and suggest treatments.  The most common treatment especially if your tinnitus is caused by excessive noise is hearing aids, but there are several other treatments that can be used in tandem or separately. By working with your hearing loss professional, you can find ways to live with your hearing loss and tinnitus.