Ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming in the ears is a common concern as people get older. Known clinically as tinnitus, these internal noises can be a source of frustration and anxiety for many elderly individuals. Even though age is a primary factor, differentiating between age-induced tinnitus and alternative triggers is vital for proper care.
Your everyday well-being can be severely compromised by tinnitus, yet you should not feel obligated to view it as an unavoidable burden of age. Today, we’re taking a look at what’s age-related, what isn’t, and available steps if you have tinnitus.
What Is Tinnitus?
In basic language, tinnitus is the subjective experience of noise that no one else can hear. Commonly, patients report ringing or buzzing, but some people experience hissing, clicking, or whistling. The intensity varies from a slight irritation to a significant impairment, and it may be felt in a single ear or both.
The National Library of Medicine reports the following statistics regarding the senior population:
- One out of every five seniors is affected by tinnitus symptoms.
- Daily life is affected for one out of every ten seniors suffering from tinnitus.
- There is a strong correlation showing that those with hearing loss have a twofold increase in the risk of tinnitus reports.
If it’s loud or doesn’t let up, tinnitus can lead to fatigue, depression, anxiety, and mental and emotional anguish. Luckily, there is support available. Before seeking help, it is important to understand whether your tinnitus is a result of aging or other factors.
When Tinnitus Is Age-Related
Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, remains a primary driver of tinnitus in the senior population.
In these cases, tinnitus often:
- Manifests as a progressive onset.
- Presents simultaneously with a decline in hearing ability.
- Takes the form of persistent static.
- Is easier to detect when the surroundings are silent.
Non-Age-Related Causes
It is vital to look beyond age, as many cases of tinnitus are caused by treatable medical or environmental factors, like:
- Past contact with damaging decibel levels from machinery or military environments.
- Ototoxic drugs, such as high doses of common medicines.
- Cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure.
- Earwax impaction, which is frequently seen in advancing age.
The Impact of Ongoing Tinnitus
Yet, it is important to realize that chronic tinnitus influences:
- The ability to fall and stay asleep throughout the night.
- Mental capacity such as recall and sustained attention.
- Psychological well-being and your overall level of stress.
- Your standard of life and social activities.
What You Can Do
- Wearing hearing aids to provide the brain with more auditory stimulation and lessen tinnitus focus.
- Sound therapy or masking techniques.
- Modifying prescriptions (when appropriate).
- Lifestyle adjustments to lower stress and enhance sleep.
Phone our team today to arrange a consultation and begin your path toward relief. We’re ready to help.
