How to Recognize the First Signs of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a common condition, but it’s important that you recognise the signs early so that it doesn’t become more serious or permanent. Here are some things to look for (and listen for!) to determine whether or not you have Tinnitus.

What is tinnitus?

How to recognise the first signs of Tinnitus

There are two main kinds of tinnitus:

An audiologist can assess the kind of Tinnitus you may have and let you know if it’s permanent or if there are measures that you can take to ensure it doesn’t become permanent.
Subjective Tinnitus
The most common and is caused by damage in your outer, middle, or inner ear. Typically, subjective Tinnitus is caused by exposure to loud noise over a period of time.

Objective Tinnitus
It can actually be heard by your audiologist. It is less common than subjective Tinnitus and can be caused by damage to your middle ear bone, a blood vessel problem, or muscle contractions.

The symptoms of Tinnitus

Here are some common signs and symptoms of Tinnitus that you should look out for (and listen for!):

1. A constant or intermittent ringing or buzzing sound in both ears
2. A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear(s) – this could be misleading; often, tinnitus associated with aural fullness is nothing to be alarmed about
3. Difficulty hearing or understanding speech in noisy environments due to Tinnitus
4. Sensitivity to loud noises – not tinnitus but hyperacusis, which is associated with Tinnitus
5. Fatigue or stress caused by the constant sound in your ears
6. Disrupted sleep

If you’re experiencing any or all of the symptoms above, it’s time to make an appointment with your Triton Hearing audiologist.
Book your free appointment by calling 0800 45 45 43 or 

References

 ^{Jamil Al-Swiahb, Shi Nae Park. Characterization of tinnitus in different age groups: A retrospective review. Noise Health. 2016 Jul-Aug; 18(83): 214–219.}