Ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming in the ears is a common concern as people get older. This condition, referred to as tinnitus, often results in considerable confusion and emotional distress for older adults. While getting older often brings about tinnitus, it shouldn’t always be dismissed as an inevitable consequence of aging.
Tinnitus can disrupt and diminish your quality of life, and you should not feel forced to accept it as a part of the aging process. Today, we’re taking a look at what’s age-related, what isn’t, and what you can do if you have tinnitus.
Defining Tinnitus: What You Need to Know
Tinnitus manifests when a person perceives internal sounds that are not produced externally. While many describe it as a buzzing or ringing sensation, others may hear hissing, clicking, or even roaring noises. The severity varies from a minor nuisance to a major disruption, and it may be felt in a single ear or both.
According to the National Library of Medicine, in a general elderly population:
- One out of every five seniors is affected by tinnitus symptoms.
- Daily life is affected for 10% of older people living with tinnitus.
- The data indicates that individuals with hearing loss face an increased likelihood of developing tinnitus.
The emotional toll of unceasing tinnitus can include profound anguish, sleep deprivation, and depression. Luckily, there is support available. To begin, let’s explore how to tell if your tinnitus is strictly related to getting older.
When Tinnitus Is Age-Related
One of the most common causes of tinnitus in older adults is age-related hearing loss, clinically referred to as presbycusis.
In these cases, tinnitus often:
- Manifests as a steady onset.
- Is experienced together with age-related hearing impairment.
- Is often described as sharp ringing or electronic noise.
- Becomes more noticeable in quiet environments.
Non-Age-Related Triggers
While age-related changes are a factor, many cases of tinnitus in seniors are linked to other factors, including:
- Past contact with damaging decibel levels from military service or factory environments.
- Ototoxic drugs, which include high doses of common medicines.
- Circulatory health issues, such as hypertension or other vascular disorders.
- Simple earwax blockage, which is a common and treatable cause of ringing.
Why Tinnitus Must Not Be Dismissed
However, persistent tinnitus can affect:
- The overall duration of your nightly sleep.
- Mental capacity such as recall and daily attention.
- Overall emotional health.
- Overall quality of life.
What You Can Do
- The use of hearing aids, which can mask the ringing by enhancing environmental sounds.
- Sound masking or white noise devices.
- Medication adjustments (where appropriate).
- Adopting new habits that focus on stress reduction and better sleep patterns.
Contact our team of professionals today to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help.