Diagnosing phantom noise in your ear.
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring sound in the ears, is a common and often distressing condition that affects up to 20% of all men and women today. While it is not a disease itself, tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying health issue, ranging from age-related hearing loss and ear injuries to circulatory system problems. At St. Luke's University Health Network, we understand the profound impact tinnitus can have on your quality of life, affecting sleep, concentration, and overall well-being.
Understanding tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in one or both ears when no external sound is present. This phantom noise can vary significantly in pitch and intensity, from a low roar to a high-pitched squeal, and may be constant or intermittent. This can be severely debilitating. The two types of tinnitus include:
- Subjective Tinnitus: Usually directly related to ear problems like age-related hearing loss, but can also be connected to auditory nerve problems. Certain medications can cause tinnitus, too.
- Objective Tinnitus: Objective tinnitus is unique and rare because your doctor can hear the ringing or other noise when they examine your ears. Circulatory system issues like atherosclerosis or vascular malformations can cause objective tinnitus as can inner ear muscle spasms.
Symptoms of tinnitus
The primary symptom of tinnitus is hearing sounds in your ears that aren't coming from an external source. While commonly referred to as ringing in the ears, tinnitus can manifest as a variety of sounds. These perceptions can include buzzing, hissing, roaring, clicking, or humming. The pitch and intensity of these sounds can vary significantly, from a low-frequency hum to a high-pitched squeal, and may be constant or intermittent. Most individuals experience subjective tinnitus, meaning only they can hear the sounds. In rare cases, objective tinnitus occurs, where a doctor can also hear the sounds during an examination, often due to vascular issues or muscle spasms. The impact of these sounds can range from mild irritation to severe disruption of daily life, affecting concentration, sleep, and emotional well-being.
Causes of tinnitus
Tinnitus is most often a symptom of an underlying medical condition rather than a disease itself, making identification of the root cause essential for effective treatment and long‑term management. Common causes include hearing loss from age‑related changes or prolonged noise exposure, ear and middle ear issues such as earwax buildup, and inner ear disorders like Ménière’s disease. Tinnitus may also stem from TMJ disorders, sinusitis, head or neck injuries, certain ototoxic medications, some antibiotics, diuretics, and antidepressants. Additionally, vascular problems and systemic conditions—such as diabetes, thyroid disease, migraines, anemia, and autoimmune disorders—can affect circulation or nerve function and contribute to tinnitus symptoms.
Treatment and therapeutic options for tinnitus at St. Luke's
St. Luke’s ENT specialists offer personalized, advanced treatment options to help manage tinnitus symptoms, address underlying causes, and improve quality of life. Treatment may include earwax removal, medication adjustments, care for vascular conditions, hearing aids, and noise‑masking solutions such as white noise machines or in‑ear devices that lessen tinnitus perception, especially during sleep.
Counseling therapies are also an important part of care. Neuromonics® Sound Therapy, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help patients cope with the emotional and psychological effects of tinnitus through sound therapy and coping strategies. While no medication cures tinnitus, some may reduce symptom severity or treat related anxiety or depression. St. Luke’s also continues to evaluate emerging treatments, including brain stimulation therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Frequently asked questions about tinnitus
Currently, there is no universal cure for tinnitus. However, many effective treatments and management strategies are available to reduce its impact and improve quality of life. These include addressing underlying causes, noise suppression techniques, and behavioral therapies like TRT and CBT.
In most cases, tinnitus is not a sign of a serious medical condition. However, it can sometimes indicate an underlying issue that requires medical attention, such as hearing loss, ear injury, or circulatory problems. It's important to consult an ENT specialist for proper diagnosis.
Yes, certain lifestyle changes can help manage tinnitus. These include avoiding loud noise exposure, managing stress, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine. Discussing these with your doctor can help create a holistic management plan.
You can schedule an appointment by contacting one of our otolaryngologists today. We are committed to providing timely and compassionate care for kids and adults. Click here to find a provider.
St. Luke's employs a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, audiological exams, movement assessments, and potentially imaging (CT/MRI) and lab tests to identify the underlying cause of your tinnitus.
