Transcript My Ears are Ringing: A presentation of Tinnitus

Kelly C. Waldvogel, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Northwestern Medicine
 What
is tinnitus?
 What causes tinnitus?
 Factors that influence tinnitus.
 How do we manage tinnitus?
 /’tinitəs,ti’nī-/
 Sounds
heard in the ear(s) that are not
present in the environment; “ringing in
the ears”; phantom perceptions
 Hissing, roaring, static, crickets,
screeching, sirens, whooshing, pulsing,
ocean waves, buzzing, clicking, etc.
“normal tinnitus” having occasional tinnitus that
lasts a short time and goes away on its own
 Significant tinnitus-having constant tinnitus, but it
may fluctuate from day to day
 Subjective tinnitus: meaning only the person can
hear it
• 95%
 Objective tinnitus: an examiner can hear it using
a stethoscope
• 5%

 Approximately
15% of the world
population has tinnitus
 10-20% of people seek medical help
 70-90% of individuals with tinnitus show
some hearing deficit when tested
 The incidence and prevalence of tinnitus
increases with age and severity of
hearing loss
• Outer ear disorders
• Inner ear disorders
• Cardiovascular disease
• High blood pressure
• Multiple sclerosis
• Kidney
transplant/renal
disease
• Lyme disease
• Zinc deficiency
• Poor circulation
• Hypothyroid/hyperthy
•
•
•
•
•
roid disorders
High cholesterol
Vascular disorders
Jaw joint disorders
Cervical or neck
disorders
Certain medications
*If an individual has one of the above, it does not mean that they will have tinnitus
Hearing
loss
• Outer/Middle Ear:
ear wax, allergies,
middle ear infection,
etc
• Inner Ear: hearing
loss, noise exposure,
etc
 Difficulties
arise when individuals
experience the following as a result of
tinnitus:
• Difficulty sleeping and/or concentrating
• Focusing/concentrating on speech
• Anxiety
• Frustration, depression
• Annoyance, irritation
• Stress
 Regardless
of the initial cause of the
tinnitus it is perceived and processed in
the brain
 Because most people with tinnitus also
show some hearing loss it is thought that
it is related to auditory deprivation
• Similar to phantom limb syndrome
 Additionally, activation
of the limbic or
emotional system also contributes to
tinnitus
Auditory or Hearing Area
Limbic or Emotional Area
 Visit
an Audiologist
 Discussion of the time frame of tinnitus
symptoms and other associated
symptoms
 Hearing evaluation is completed
 Recommendations of treatment and
management for tinnitus and/or hearing
loss
• Referral to other medical providers as needed
 There
are currently no proven
medications that treat tinnitus
 HOWEVER, there are MANY ways to help
manage tinnitus and an individuals
reaction to tinnitus
• Hearing Devices with or without hearing loss
• Use of sound in quiet environments
• Relaxation techniques
Audiology Services-Department of
Otolaryngology
675 North Saint Clair Street, Galter 15-200
Chicago, IL 60611
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Coles, R.R. (1984) Epidemiology of tinnitus. J Laryngol Otol
Suppl. 9, 7-15
Dobie, R.A. (2004). Overview: suffering from tinnitus. In:
Snow JB, editor. Tinnitus:Theory and Management. Lewiston,
NY: BC Deker Inc. 1-7
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders (2001, February) The noise in your ears: Facts
about tinnitus (NIH Pub No 00-4896). Bethesda, MD
Sweetow, R.W. (2000) Cognitive-behavior modifiction In:
Tyler RS. Editor. Tinnitus Handbook. San Diego: Singular
Publishing Group, 297-311
Sweetow, R.W. and Widex A/S(2012) Widex Zen Therapy:
Managing the effects of tinnitus.
All Images were obtained from Google Images