Do you hear ringing in one or both of your ears? Tinnitus is a condition where the person experiences the sensation of a sound in their ears without there being an external source for the sound. Ringing is one of the most common symptoms of this condition. It was estimated in a recent study that this condition affects about 10 percent of the adult population in the country. This is about 21 million adults.
Are there people at higher risk of developing tinnitus?
There are many causes of tinnitus. There are also people who are at higher risk of developing the condition. Some of the most causes of tinnitus include:
- Age-related hearing loss – you may perceive noises that aren’t there as a result of the deterioration of the structures within the inner ear
- Medical conditions such as head injuries and ear infections can result in temporary tinnitus
- Exposure to high noise levels such as the firing of guns, a jet taking off, or a car crash can result in tinnitus in people of all ages.
- Some medications can result in tinnitus as a side effect.
- Lifestyle habits such as smoking or high intake of salt can increase your risk of developing tinnitus.
- Genetics – studies have revealed that some forms of tinnitus are hereditary.
How to Prevent Tinnitus
Tinnitus is preventable. There are several ways that you can protect your hearing. These include:
- Wearing earplugs when you’re in an environment with loud sounds such as at a construction site or at a loud event.
- Practicing safe listening for example keeping the volume of music at a reasonable level.
- Avoiding ear infections and getting timely treatment when an ear infection does occur.
- Visiting your audiologist if you have started to experience symptoms of tinnitus.
Prevention is key if you want to protect your hearing.