Tinnitus. You must have heard the word before. What exactly is it? How do you get it? What can you do about it? In this article, we answer all those questions.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus means hearing a permanent sound that is not actually there. It originates in one’s own nervous system. For some people this is a hum or a hiss, for others a squeak and for still others a ringing tone. The severity varies from patient to patient: some people hear the sound constantly, in others it varies in volume and presence.
How many people are affected?
In the Netherlands, about 10 to 15 percent of the population deals with some form of Tinnitus. In other words, more than a million people are affected. It is estimated that about 100,000 people experience severe discomfort, of which another 10 percent or so are really at their wit’s end.
How do people experience this condition?
Because Tinnitus comes in so many different forms, the answer is not straightforward. For some it is only a mild irritation, for others it is so intense that depression and suicidal thoughts result.
How do you get Tinnitus?
Tinnitus can have many causes, ranging from high blood pressure to an infectious disease to, for example, the side effect of medications. In these cases, the presence of the squeak is often temporary and stops when the underlying problem is resolved. In most cases, however, it is due to hearing damage caused by noise. Damage to the auditory nerve is permanent.
Is it preventable?
Completely preventing Tinnitus is impossible, but you can drastically reduce the risk. For example, don’t turn up your earplugs too loud and wear hearing protection if you work in a noisy environment or go to a concert. Would you like advice on this? Feel free to contact us!
Is it curable?
Currently, Tinnitus cannot be cured, although it is being worked on. There are, however, several treatments available. For example, in some cases the hearing care professional can help with a noise generator, which provides a frequency opposite to the beep and thereby cancels it. In most cases there is hearing damage where special hearing aids can help. These can amplify ambient sounds or illuminate sounds (such as the ocean). You can make an appointment with one of our specialists for this.
Tinnitus is above all “learning to cope. Therefore, it is always advisable to seek professional help in this regard through a psychologist.
