By Barry Keate
Barry Keate, has lived with tinnitus over 40 years and has published 150+ research articles on numerous aspects of tinnitus. He is an expert on the condition and a well-known advocate for those with tinnitus.
(karlyukav/Freepik)
With age comes wisdom and a variety of symptoms caused by a well-lived life. A common development with aging is hearing-related issues. While hearing loss is common in aging populations and well-understood by the medical community, tinnitus is not. It is a symptom, often accompanying hearing loss, that can be more of a struggle to manage.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of tinnitus can help ease the worry and confusion surrounding the ailment. It can also help loved ones providing support and care for aging parents with the condition. Assisting your parents as they age can be a heavy burden, but one that certainly does not go unnoticed.
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be an ever-present ringing or buzzing sound. It can also be a hissing that comes and goes. Many individuals with tinnitus describe the sound they hear differently. In all cases, however, it is sound not caused by an outside source. The sound is the result of damage to the hair-like nerves in the inner ear. This damage can be caused suddenly or gradually with age. Some possible causes that you should be aware of include:
- Prolonged exposure to loud noises or music: Long-term exposure to loud environments can damage hearing over time.
- Military experience: Veterans often experience tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises during service.
- Work in a loud environment: Jobs involving constant loud noises can lead to hearing damage.
- Past significant ear infections: Severe infections can cause long-term damage to the ear.
- Head trauma, particularly affecting the ears: Injuries to the head can damage hearing and lead to tinnitus.
- General hearing loss: Age-related hearing loss often accompanies tinnitus.
- Increased stress: High stress levels can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
As with other parts of the body, the inner ear can degrade with age. Tinnitus can often be a side effect of general hearing loss. This is why it is so important to have your parents visit an audiologist as they get older so that hearing issues can be identified and managed sooner rather than later.
Signs to Look For
If your parent begins to complain of ringing or buzzing in their ears, particularly at bedtime or in times of high stress, tinnitus is likely the culprit. These sounds are tell-tale signs that the condition is affecting your loved one. However, these symptoms may go unnoticed if they don’t speak up. Since tinnitus and hearing loss are not seen by the naked eye, it is crucial to be on the lookout for more subtle signs of these issues.
Listening to the Radio or Television at an Unusually High Volume
Tinnitus and general hearing loss often go hand in hand. If you notice that your parent is turning up the volume on the TV or radio more than they used to, it may be a sign that their hearing is beginning to decline.
Sensitivity to Sounds
While this may seem contradictory to our last point, the damage to the nerve endings in the inner ear associated with tinnitus can often cause a sensitivity to sounds. For those experiencing tinnitus, everyday sounds at a normal volume for you may be painfully loud to your parent. If you notice a reaction to a sound that seems dramatic or out of proportion, it may be a sign that your loved one is struggling with hearing issues.
Difficulty sleeping
At night, when everything is quiet, the buzzing or ringing sounds associated with tinnitus may be more pronounced, as other background noises are not there to distract from the issue. This may interfere with your loved one’s ability to fall asleep. For some, the sounds are unbearable and aggravating. If you notice your parent is more irritable or tired than usual, ask about their sleep. They may open up about their difficulties falling asleep, which can lead to a more honest conversation about their symptoms.
Issues With Focus
Tinnitus can often be very distracting when performing everyday tasks, taking your parents’ focus away from the task at hand. If you notice they are having trouble maintaining focus or attention, it may be time to schedule an appointment with an audiologist.
Managing Tinnitus
If you recognize the signs and symptoms of tinnitus, it is time to find some ways to manage the condition. While there is no magic bullet to make it go away, there are many strategies for improving their symptoms and quality of life.
Reducing Stress
While stress is a familiar feeling for all, prolonged or extreme stress can manifest itself in physical ways, including affecting your hearing. Tinnitus due to stress can worsen during increased stress, so it is essential to maintain a calm and relaxed environment as often as possible.
Supplements and Treatments
Some supplements, including blends of certain vitamins and herbs have helped individuals manage this hearing issue. Vitamin B12, zinc, and ginkgo biloba for ear ringing are all options that may help depending on the cause of your parent’s tinnitus symptoms. Some tinnitus supplements contain a combination of these ingredients.
White Noise
At night, when tinnitus is most noticeable, it can be helpful to create a relaxing environment with noise that drowns out or distracts from the ringing or buzzing of the condition. This can improve the quality of your parents’ sleep, reduce stress, and help manage the changes in daily life that come with worsening tinnitus.
While this may help in the short-term, there is evidence that listening to white noise can make tinnitus symptoms worsen over time. Consider using white noise as needed or changing up the type of background noise.
Stay Positive
Tinnitus can be very disorienting and greatly affect your parent’s day-to-day life. You may find that they avoid social gatherings, aren’t enjoying hobbies they previously loved, or are very sensitive about their hearing. As caregivers and loved ones, it is important that you give grace and reassurance to those in your life who are experiencing the effects of tinnitus.
Additionally, worrying about tinnitus can trigger a dangerous spiral of increased stress, which worsens the condition, which increases stress, and so on. Confronting the issue in a positive manner and focusing on management and treatment techniques can help calm your loved one as the issue develops or worsens. While it is vital to acknowledge tinnitus, don’t allow the condition to define your parent. Hearing issues can be difficult for the whole family but can and should be managed in a loving and informed manner.
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