Millions of people around the world are familiar with the phenomenon: a sudden ringing, whistling, buzzing or hissing in the ear without a recognizable sound source. This ringing in the ears, medically known as tinnitus, can severely restrict the quality of life of those affected.
This magazin provides patients and their relatives with well-founded information on causes, symptoms, treatment options and practical ways of coping with tinnitus.
What is tinnitus?
The term tinnitus originally comes from Latin. Derived from the word "tinnere" (to ring), it describes sounds that are perceived by people even though they are not triggered by an external stimulus. These sounds can vary from a hissing or knocking noise to a hissing or whistling sound.
Forms of tinnitus
A distinction is made between two forms of tinnitus:
Subjective tinnitus
- Only the affected person hears the noise. This is the most common form.
Objective tinnitus
- Unusual. The sound is actually produced in the body and can also be heard by others (e.g. with a stethoscope).
What does tinnitus sound like?
Those affected report:
- Whistling in the ear
- Buzzing or humming
- Rushing like a waterfall
- Ringing, beeping or hissing
- Knocking or pulsating noises
These tinnitus noises can be constant or pulsating, quiet in the background or dominate your attention.
Causes of tinnitus: Where does the ringing in the ears come from?
Anyone who experiences a sudden whistling, buzzing or ringing in the ear for the first time usually asks the same question: Where is this noise coming from?
Tinnitus is not a disease in its own right, but a symptom that can have many different causes. It often occurs suddenly, for example after a loud concert or during periods of severe emotional stress. In other cases, tinnitus develops gradually, for example in connection with a hearing loss or diseases of the throat, nose and ears.
From a medical point of view, ringing in the ears is often caused by misinformation in the auditory system, which the brain interprets as sound even though there is no real sound source. Identifying the exact triggers for tinnitus is not always easy, but it is an important step in targeted treatment and therapy to restore the original ear functions.
Triggers at a glance
Common triggers for tinnitus are:
- Damage caused by noise trauma (e.g. loud music, explosions)
- sudden deafness
- Diseases, for example: diseases of the inner ear or middle ear
- Stress and mental strain
- Tension in the neck and jaw area
- Infections in the throat, nose and ear area
- Diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, tumors
- Side effects of medication
- Problems with the auditory nerve or hearing system
Who is affected?
Tinnitus is a widespread phenomenon and affects significantly more people than many people think. In Germany alone, it is estimated that around 10 to 15% of the population regularly suffer from annoying ringing in the ears. This makes tinnitus one of the most common symptoms in ear, nose and throat medicine.
Middle-aged and older adults are particularly frequently affected, mainly between the ages of 40 and 70. However, young people are also increasingly affected, for example through regular exposure to noise, headphone use or stress.
There is no single target group for tinnitus. It affects women as well as men, working people as well as pensioners, and can occur both in quiet phases of life and in emotionally stressful situations. People with certain pre-existing conditions or hearing disorders also have an increased risk of developing chronic tinnitus.
The decisive factor is that tinnitus is not a sign of weakness or imagination, but a real, often distressing symptom that requires individual and holistic treatment.
Symptoms: More than just a ringing in the ears
Tinnitus is often dismissed as a simple whistling, buzzing or hissing in the ear, but the reality is often more complex. For many sufferers, tinnitus is far more than just an annoying noise. It can have a profound impact on everyday life, well-being and mental health. Depending on the type, intensity and duration of the tinnitus noise, the symptoms can vary in severity and go far beyond the noise in the ear.
Many patients report not only persistent ringing in the ears, but also sleep disorders, concentration problems, inner restlessness or even depressive moods. Particularly in the case of chronic tinnitus, the symptoms can take on a life of their own over time and significantly impair quality of life.
The perception of tinnitus is also very individual: while some people only notice it in quiet surroundings or in stressful situations, for others it is permanently present and dominates large parts of their thoughts and feelings. In view of this, a precise examination of the symptoms and their effects is essential not only for diagnosis, but above all for targeted and holistic therapy.
Accompanying complaints
In addition to the actual noise, the following symptoms often occur:
- Hearing loss or hearing loss
- Concentration difficulties
- Sleep disorders
- Irritability, anxiety, depressive moods
- Feeling of pressure in the ear
These complaints often exacerbate the tinnitus, creating a vicious circle.
Diagnostics: How is tinnitus diagnosed?
Anyone suffering from persistent ringing in the ears should not take the symptoms lightly, especially if they are accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness or other symptoms. Careful diagnosis is the first and most important step in getting to the bottom of the causes of tinnitus and initiating individual treatment.
A thorough diagnosis forms the basis for successful tinnitus therapy, because only if the causes are known as precisely as possible can suitable treatment strategies be developed.
The path to diagnosis
The first point of contact is usually an ENT doctor or ENT practice. A comprehensive diagnosis is carried out there, consisting of
- Hearing tests and audiometry
- Tinnitus matching (sound type and volume)
- Examination of the middle ear, inner ear and auditory nerve
- Physical examination (e.g. neck, temporomandibular joint)
- Psychological questioning for stress or anxiety symptoms
- Imaging procedures for suspected structural causes
Severity and classification
Not all tinnitus is the same, neither in its intensity nor in its impact on the lives of those affected. While some people barely notice the noise or are able to ignore it, others suffer from massive restrictions in everyday life.
It is therefore important to determine the severity of the tinnitus for diagnosis, treatment and, in particular, the planning of suitable therapy.
How severe is the tinnitus?
Tinnitus is classified according to its severity:
- Grade 1: Perception without stress
- Grade 2: stressful during silence or stress
- Grade 3: severe impairment of concentration and sleep
- Grade 4: massive restrictions in life, often associated with mental illness
Tinnitus and stress - a close connection
Many sufferers find that their tinnitus is more noticeable in certain phases of life, especially when they feel stressed, overworked or emotionally tense. In fact, numerous studies have shown that there is a close link between stress and tinnitus. Stress can not only act as a trigger, but can also significantly increase the progression and burden of tinnitus.
Psychosomatic factor
Stress is considered to be one of the most important triggers and amplifiers of tinnitus. Permanent mental tension can intensify the perception of sounds and at the same time change the processing of stimuli in the brain.
Treatment options for tinnitus
Many people who suffer from tinnitus ask themselves at some point: what can I do about it? The good news is that even if there is no simple "cure on prescription", there are numerous treatment options available today that can alleviate the noise and significantly improve quality of life.
It is important to know that tinnitus therapies are not based on a single procedure, but should always be individually adapted to the causes, severity and personal needs of the patient. For example, a multimodal therapy approach that takes into account both physical and psychological factors has proven particularly effective.
Goal: Handling and relief
A complete cure is not always possible, but there are numerous treatment approaches that bring about a significant improvement:
- Drug therapies (e.g. blood circulation stimulants)
- Tinnitus therapy according to Jastreboff (habituation therapy)
- Tinnitus counseling (individual advice and information)
- Hearing systems, possibly with tinnitus noisers
- Psychotherapy (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy)
- Relaxation techniques (e.g. autogenic training, yoga)
- Physiotherapy for muscular causes
- Acoustic stimulation (e.g. noise generators)
The role of ear, nose and throat medicine
When it comes to the causes, diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus, ear, nose and throat medicine (ENT) plays a central role. This is because the ear is a highly complex organ that is closely connected to the nose, throat, inner ear, auditory nerve and even the organ of balance.
Even the smallest disturbances and changes in this sensitive system can lead to ringing in the ears, hearing loss or other complaints.
Specialist expertise
Modern ear, nose and throat medicine offers a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for tinnitus patients. An experienced ENT specialist not only analyzes the ear, but also takes the entire organism into account.
Tinnitus therapy: what is it?
Many people who suffer from persistent tinnitus want one thing above all else: peace and quiet. Even if a complete cure is not possible in some cases, this does not mean that you are helplessly at the mercy of the ringing in your ears. This is precisely where tinnitus therapy comes in, with the aim of reducing the burden, improving quality of life and actively managing tinnitus.
Multimodal approach
Tinnitus therapy aims to change the perception of the sound and reduce the tinnitus burden. In addition to medical treatment, counseling, education and psychological support are crucial.
Everyday life with tinnitus
- Use background noises (e.g. soft music, sounds of nature)
- Rest breaks in nature
- Stress reduction through exercise and mindfulness
- Hearing protection in noisy environments
- Structured daily routines
Relatives as important support
Relatives play a central role in the lives of people with tinnitus, whether as a partner, family member, friend or close caregiver. The constant sound in the ear, the annoying whistling, hissing or buzzing is often incomprehensible to outsiders, but it can become a considerable psychological and physical burden for those affected. This is why it is particularly important for the social environment to react attentively and with understanding.
Relatives should take the complaints seriously, show patience and look for solutions together. Even if the noise is not audible from the outside, it is real and sometimes very distressing for the person affected. Comments such as "You'll just have to distract yourself" or "It's not that bad" are often hurtful and can lead to the person withdrawing or no longer feeling understood.
Chronic tinnitus - when the noise persists
If the tinnitus persists for more than six months, it is referred to as chronic tinnitus. In such cases, long-term, individually tailored therapy is crucial in order to maintain quality of life.
Tinnitus and hearing disorders
In many cases, tinnitus occurs together with hearing impairment or hearing loss. Modern hearing systems can not only improve hearing, but also mask the tinnitus noises.
Children and adolescents with tinnitus
Tinnitus is often seen as a problem for adults, especially in middle to old age. However, children and adolescents can also suffer from ringing in the ears, and more frequently than has long been assumed.
As children are often unable to express themselves clearly or find it difficult to classify their complaints, tinnitus often goes unrecognized or is misinterpreted as a lack of concentration, mood swings or sleep disorders. For this reason, targeted education, child-friendly diagnostics and, above all, a sensitive approach to the subject are all the more important.
Causes of tinnitus in children
The causes of tinnitus in children sometimes differ significantly from those in adults. The most common triggers include
- Middle ear infections and infections in the throat, nose and ears
- Hearing disorders, e.g. due to inherited or acquired inner ear damage
- Stress due to school or family pressure
- Exposure to noise, for example through loud music via headphones
- Consequences of a sudden hearing loss or an untreated infection
- Misaligned jaw or tension in the neck and shoulder area
- Accidents or trauma that affect the hearing system
- Side effects of certain medications
Conclusion: Tinnitus is not destiny - get help!
Tinnitus can be distressing, but there is hope. Whether through targeted tinnitus therapy, advice from ear, nose and throat specialists, psychological support or individual treatment options: Every step counts.
If you suffer from persistent ringing in the ears, do not hesitate to consult an ENT doctor or a specialized center for ear, nose and throat medicine. Professional help can make a decisive contribution to improving your quality of life.
