HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

Tinnitus

Mate rongonga ā-hinengaro

Tinnitus is when you hear sounds in your ears or head that do not come from your surroundings.

Tinnitus is a very common problem. There are many different forms of tinnitus and many different causes.

People with tinnitus commonly hear ringing, buzzing or whistling sounds but music or voices can sometimes be heard. Often, the sound is high pitched but it can be pulsing, clicking or gurgling.

Tinnitus isn't a disease, but the result of changes in your hearing or autonomic nervous system. The problem can be anywhere between your ears and your brain. Different people experience tinnitus differently.

Many things can trigger tinnitus, including:

• ageing
• loud music or noise
• medications
• ear wax
• infections
• an injury
• illnesses such as diabetes or Ménière's disease.

Anxiety, depression and stress can make tinnitus more of a problem.

Diagnosing tinnitus

Tinnitus isn't usually serious, but if it's new, it's sensible to get your general practice team or audiologist to check it. This is especially important if your tinnitus is just in one ear, it pulses in rhythm with your heartbeat or you have sudden hearing loss.

Your doctor will look in your ears and will usually suggest a full diagnostic hearing test with an audiologist. Occasionally you may need further tests to find the underlying cause, such as blood tests or a scan.

Treating tinnitus

There are many ways tinnitus can be managed, and some people can get rid of it completely.

Most people can learn to cope with their tinnitus using simple self-help measures.

If your doctor finds that ear wax is causing your tinnitus, removing the ear wax may stop it happening.

If your tinnitus is an ongoing problem options include:

• getting information about tinnitus and learning ways to cope with it (information counselling)
• hearing aids
• sound devices to desensitise you to the sound
• counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for stress.

An audiologist who specialises in tinnitus management can help advise on what might suit you.

Self-care for tinnitus

• Reduce your exposure to loud sounds.
• Reduce alcohol or caffeine intake.
• Quit smoking.
• Avoid complete silence.
• Manage stress, since stress can cause and make tinnitus worse. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, calming breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Patient.info – Tinnitus

  Information including causes, tests and coping strategies.

• New Zealand Audiological Society – Tinnitus and reduced sound tolerance

  Information about tinnitus and how to find an audiologist.

  HealthInfo recommends the following apps

• Healthify He Puna Waiora – Tinnitus apps

  Information about apps that can help you with your tinnitus. You should only use the apps with support from an audiologist.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2023.

Sources

Page reference: 52902

Review key: HITIN-17490