Understanding
Tinnitus: understand and act
A ringing, buzzing or hissing nobody else hears. Tinnitus is common, rarely serious, but sometimes very bothersome. Here is what to know, and when to see a doctor.
What is tinnitus?
It is a sound perceived with no outside source: ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking. It can be constant or come and go, in one ear, both, or "in the head". It is most noticeable in quiet, at bedtime.
The most common causes
- Hearing loss, often age-related: the most common cause
- Noise exposure: concerts, workshops, headphones too loud
- Earwax or an ear infection
- Some medicines, stress and fatigue, which can make it worse
When to see an ENT doctor quickly
See an ENT doctor without delay if the tinnitus appeared suddenly with a drop in hearing, if it affects one ear only, if it beats in time with your heart (pulsatile tinnitus), or if it comes with dizziness or pain. Sudden hearing loss is an emergency: every day counts. Our page ENT or hearing aid specialist explains who does what.
Treatment: what really helps
No medicine makes all tinnitus disappear. However, several approaches make it far less intrusive:
- Correcting the associated hearing loss: when the ear picks up ambient sound again, tinnitus often fades into the background
- Filling the silence: soft background sound in the evening helps the brain stop latching on to it
- Protecting your ears from noise so it does not get worse
- Support (cognitive behavioural therapy, stress management) when tinnitus weighs on your mood
Checking your hearing
Because tinnitus often comes with hearing loss, a free hearing assessment is a good starting point. It is by appointment, in Les Princesses, Maârif. If the assessment shows a sign that needs a doctor, we refer you to an ENT.
What people ask us most.
Can tinnitus go away?
Yes, tinnitus after a concert or an ear infection often fades within days. Long-standing tinnitus mainly eases when its cause is treated and you learn to stop paying attention to it.
Can a hearing aid help with tinnitus?
When there is associated hearing loss, yes, for many people: the device restores ambient sounds that partly mask the tinnitus. Only the assessment can tell if that applies to you.
What is tinnitus called in French and Arabic?
« Acouphène » in French and « طنين الأذن » in Arabic.