Tinnitus isn't directly inherited. However, your genetics can play a role in this symptom. For example, ear bone changes that can lead to tinnitus can be passed down. Irregular bone growth can cause these changes and can be passed down through genes.
In yet another European GWAS study , researchers discovered that a gene called RCOR1 might be associated with tinnitus. Interestingly, this gene is also involved in some forms of hereditary sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss related to your inner ear).
While it has no clear cure or cause, it affects millions of people in the world on some level and can be challenging to cope with. Thankfully, it's entirely possible to live a normal life even with tinnitus.
If tinnitus is especially noticeable in quiet settings, try using a white noise machine to mask the noise from tinnitus. If you don't have a white noise machine, a fan, soft music or low-volume radio static also may help. Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
Many studies have reported that poor cognitive performance was associated with tinnitus. However, unlike hearing loss, which has been reported to be an independent risk factor for dementia, the link between tinnitus and cognitive impairment remains unclear [1].
Tinnitus (pronounced tin-NY-tus or TIN-u-tus) is not a disease. It is a symptom that something is wrong in the auditory system, which includes the ear, the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, and the parts of the brain that process sound.
A new, retrospective study published in Scientific Reports found that tinnitus patients may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD).
Do talk to a hearing health professional if tinnitus is affecting your ability to sleep, read, concentrate or take part in normal activities. Do realize that every person responds to tinnitus differently. There is no right or wrong way. Do avoid anxiety and/or stress as it can aggravate tinnitus.
Relaxation and meditation. It is quite common to feel anxious and afraid when you first experience tinnitus. By relaxing more, you may be able to feel less stressed and so notice your tinnitus less. Among the different types of relaxation are yoga, tai-chi and meditation.
While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are ways to manage symptoms and help break the cycle. Popular solutions include masking techniques such as white noise therapy; counseling; lifestyle modifications and prescription drugs.
Tinnitus can affect people of all ages, including children, but is more common in people aged over 65.
Traffic, loud music, construction – all of these can worsen tinnitus. Be sure to wear earplugs or another type of ear protection in order to prevent noise from making your tinnitus worse. Many medications are ototoxic, meaning they cause temporary (or, in some cases, permanent) damage to your hearing.
Many doctors simply never become aware of any actual treatments available for tinnitus sufferers. Another issue is that doctors often feel uncomfortable addressing the psychological and emotional impacts of a problem like tinnitus.
Myth #2: Tinnitus means your brain is dying
No, tinnitus in itself does not mean your brain is dying. However, tinnitus is a symptom that many people with brain injuries experience. One study showed that roughly 76 percent of veterans with a traumatic brain injury also experienced tinnitus.
[23] Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause the demyelination of neurons in the cochlear nerve, resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus.
Although the basis of tinnitus is not thought to be psychological, where it causes significant distress or reduction in quality of life, psychologically-based treatments such as CBT can result in major improvements in these consequences.
However, Medicare will not cover the cost of treatment for tinnitus or hearing loss. Many Medicare supplement plans follow Medicare guidelines and therefore do not cover treatment as well. Medicare will reimburse approximately $38 for an annual hearing exam.
Studies show that massage of the neck, ear, and chewing muscles can provide significant improvements for those with tinnitus. If you're desperate for a way to treat tinnitus, a massage that focuses on the ears, head, and neck may be just what you need to alleviate your tinnitus symptoms.
Essentially, there is a balance of internal noise and external noise and when that scale is tipped towards internal noise, tinnitus becomes more noticeable and potentially bothersome. As such, ear plugs cut out some degree of external noise and make internal noise more noticeable.
A core method of improving your tinnitus is to train your brain to switch attention away from the Tinnitus sound(s) to the natural sounds around you. As part of that process we introduce a range of different types of sounds including; partial masking, relaxing, attention refocus and finally adaptation.
Electrical and Magnetic Stimulation of the Ear
A June 2022 study used electrical stimulation of the ear and showed a 79% improvement rate in tinnitus symptoms. There were no negative side effects. The treatment was non-invasive, meaning no surgery was required.
Compared with controls, patients with tinnitus were 1.54 times more likely to develop AD (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34–1.78, P < 0.001) and 1.56 times more likely to develop PD (95% CI 1.29–1.89, P < 0.001), after adjusting confounding factors.
Treatments for tinnitus include pharmacotherapy, cognitive and behavioral therapy, sound therapy, music therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy, massage and stretching, and electrical suppression.
An MRI scan may reveal a growth or tumor near the ear or the eighth cranial nerve that could be causing tinnitus. Imaging tests can also help doctors evaluate pulsatile tinnitus. They can show changes in the blood vessels near the ears and determine whether an underlying medical condition is causing symptoms.