The condition is common and can affect people’s daily lives
Jamie Laing, the founder of popular sweet brand Candy Kittens, has opened up about suffering with “debilitating” condition which affects him on a daily basis. Tinnitus – is the perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it.
Many people describe it as a ‘ringing’ or ‘buzzing’ noise which can vary from being quiet to extremely loud. The radio presenter appeared on ITV’s This Morning to raise awareness, revealing his tinnitus is incurable, asking people to be careful with their ears, urging people to protect them.
He said: “It’s really upsetting. This is for life and you think, ‘How am I going to get through this?’ But your brain can do amazing things where you realise how to work around it.”
When asked what caused his tinnitus, Jamie said: “Loud music. I never protected my ears – you can listen to music so loud, I went to a lot of nightclubs when I was younger, London can be quite loud.
“I never thought anything of it. If you go to the gym class in the morning, that is loud.” He added by urging viewers to be kinder to their ears to avoid any damage. “Somehow protect your ears in certain ways. Protect yourself from having tinnitus.”
According to NIDCD, people may even hear a ‘roaring’ noise – and the condition is very “common with surveys estimating that 10 to 25% of adults have it.” Children can also have it and whilst for some it goes away, for other it stays and gets worse. If you have it for three months or longer, it is considered “chronic.”
What causes tinnitus?
It is not known what causes it but the experts think “most people who have it have some degree of hearing loss.” Whilst for many it won’t affect their daily life, in other who have “severe cases, tinnitus can lead to anxiety or depression.”
One expert noted: “Many people experience tinnitus after being exposed to loud noise in a workplace setting or at a sporting event or concert. Tinnitus is also the most common service-related disability among veterans because of loud noise they may have experienced from gunfire, machinery, bomb blasts, or other similar sources.”
Other causes could be due to a side effect of taking certain medications, especially if they are taken at high doses. It could also be due to earwax or an ear infection as well as a head or neck injury.
Less common tinnitus risk factors include:
- Ménière’s disease: Tinnitus can be a symptom of Ménière’s disease, an inner ear disorder that can also cause balance problems and hearing loss.
- Jaw joint problems: The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull is close to the ear. Jaw clenching or tooth grinding can damage surrounding tissue, causing or worsening tinnitus.
- Tumor-related disorders: A vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) is a benign tumor on a nerve that leads from the inner ear to the brain. Acoustic neuromas and other head, neck, and brain tumors can cause tinnitus.
- Blood vessel problems: High blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or malformations in blood vessels, especially if they are in or close to the ear, can alter blood flow and cause tinnitus.
- Chronic conditions: Diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders, anemia, and certain autoimmune disorders such as lupus and multiple sclerosis are among the chronic conditions that have been linked to tinnitus.
“While there are many possible causes of tinnitus, some people develop it for no known reason”, the expert added.
What’s the cure for tinnitus?
Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are ways to reduce symptoms. Common approaches include the use of sound therapy devices (including hearing aids), behavioral therapies, and medications.
What are the symptoms of tinnitus?
The symptoms of tinnitus can vary significantly from person to person and you may hear phantom sounds in one ear, in both ears, and in your head. The sound may be similar to a buzz, roar, whistle, hum, click, hiss or squeal and may come and go or be present all the time.
“Sometimes, moving your head, neck, or eyes, or touching certain parts of your body may produce tinnitus symptoms or temporarily change the quality of the perceived sound. This is called somatosensory (pronounced so-ma-toe-SENSE-uh-ree) tinnitus”, the expert said.
Why do I hear a ringing noise in my head?
One theory that you hear this sound – or another of the listed noises – is due damage to your inner ear. When this happens, it changes the signal carried by nerves to the parts of your brain that process sound.
How is tinnitus diagnosed?
Your GP may check for earwax or fluid from an ear infection that could be blocking your ear canal. They may also ask for your medical history to see whether an underlying condition or a medication may be causing your symptoms.
After this, you will likely be referred to an otolaryngologist (commonly called an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or an ENT) who will examine you. An audiologist may also measure your hearing and evaluate your tinnitus.
NIDCD explain: “The ENT may order imaging tests, especially if your tinnitus pulsates. Imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, or ultrasound can help reveal whether a structural problem or underlying medical condition is causing your tinnitus.”
