If you have suffered from ringing in your ears before, you are not alone.
Hearing a ringing or buzzing in your ear when there is no outside noise causing it is known as tinnitus. While tinnitus itself isn't a sign of something serious, it could be a symptom of an underlying condition such as hearing loss or a circulatory system disorder.
Some people may experience a ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking sound every once in a while, whereas others might hear these sounds more often, which could affect their concentration, sleep, emotions or other aspects of their health.
While the noise may make some people feel like they are going crazy or scared that they are losing their hearing, a new study published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery found that approximately one in 10 American adults commonly experienced tinnitus in the past year.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 75,000 participants ages 18 and older from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey who were asked if they have experienced their ears ringing, and if so, how severe was it and how often it happens.
The researchers found that 36 percent of study participants reported having tinnitus constantly. Fifty-six percent of adults reported suffering from ringing in their ears for more than five years, whereas 27 percent reported to it be occurring for over 15 years.
Interestingly enough, almost 40 percent of participants who reported having tinnitus noticed the ringing sensations close to bedtime. This could be because the quiet allows people to pick up on the sounds more easily.
You might have heard the superstition that having your ears ring means someone is talking about you, but there is actually a real reason to why this happens besides being a warning sign of another, deeper health issue like hearing loss. The study found that people who are exposed to loud noises often are more likely to suffer from tinnitus. That includes those who often go to concerts or who work at factories or use loud tools, as well as those who were in the armed forces or exposed to noise trauma.
The study revealed that 42 percent of participants considered ringing in their ears a small problem, with less than half in the study talking about their symptoms with their doctor.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation established a set of treatment guidelines for doctors that suggests ways to ease the annoyance of tinnitus.
Those include using a hearing aid often, mainly because ringing of the ears is most commonly linked to hearing loss. Hearing aids will reduce or even mask the sound, but those who don't have hearing problems can instead opt for sound machines — which can be soothing for bedtime.
Lead author of the study Dr. Harrison Lin, an ear specialist at the University of California, Irvine also recommended therapy as an effective form of treatment.
Lin revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy has helped to improve tolerance and reduce the negative health impact tinnitus has on patients.
It's suggested that people visit a doctor when they commonly experience tinnitus or when ringing of the ears affects their quality of life.
Source: Live Science
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