About Tinnitus
Frequently Asked Questions page 2
Tinnitus Prevention, Diagnosis, and Research
Go to Page 1 of the F.A.Q., General Questions About Tinnitus
Go to Page 3 of the F.A.Q., Questions about Tinnitus Treatments
Page 4of the F.A.Q., Questions about ATA Resources
Answers
Can a one-time exposure to loud noise cause tinnitus?
Many people write to the American Tinnitus Association asking if a one-time exposure to loud noise experienced many years ago can cause tinnitus. Noise is damaging if you must shout to be heard, if your ears hurt, or if your hearing is lessened immediately following noise exposure. The noise exposure could occur just one time or over months or years. The level of noise can affect the degree of hearing loss. For example, sounds of 100 decibels experienced for more than 15 minutes can cause hearing loss. Sounds of 110 decibels experiences for more than a minute can cause hearing loss.
A one-time exposure to loud noise is not guaranteed to cause tinnitus or permanent hearing loss, since people's ears vary in sensitivity. It is also possible that the damage from noise exposure might not be noticeable for many years.
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Does tinnitus cause depression?
In some cases, yes. The chronic sound of tinnitus can cause difficulty with sleep, concentration, reading, interpersonal relationships, and other everyday activities – all of which can lead a person, especially one who is predisposed to it, towards a state of depression.
In a 2003 study on depression and tinnitus, researchers found that most people with tinnitus were neither depressed nor seriously bothered by their tinnitus. But the patients who were depressed were far more disabled by their tinnitus than the non-depressed patients. If depression is a problem for you, it would be wise to seek help from a mental health professional.
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What is pulsatile tinnitus?
Pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmic, pulsing sound most often in time with the heartbeat. It can usually -– but not always -- be heard objectively through a stethoscope on the patient's neck or through a microphone placed inside the ear canal. While it is not a common form of tinnitus, it has some well-known causes: hypertension, a heart murmur, Eustachian tube disorder, a glomus tumor, an abnormality of a vein or artery, and others. Very often, this kind of tinnitus can be treated.
If you are experiencing pulsatile tinnitus, it is always a good idea have a medical examination.
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Can you tell me more about other kinds of hearing disorders?
Other hearing disorders are associated with tinnitus, including hearing loss, Ménière's disease, and hyperacusis. Read more about these conditions on the Other Hearing Disorders page.
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Is there anything I can do to protect myself from tinnitus?
First, protect your hearing. At work, make sure Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations are met: hearing protection is required under OSHA for any job in which noise levels exceed 90 decibels over the course of an eight-hour workday. Many hearing specialists counsel that this sound level is too high, and for some people, 90 decibels is still too loud. Further, as noise levels increase, the recommended time of exposure decreases. OSHA mandates that workplaces with excessive noise levels must protect workers by implementing a continuing, effective hearing conservation program. In other words, wear your earplugs or earmuffs, limit the amount of time you spend in noisy environments, and follow hearing conservation guidelines established by your employer.
Recreational noise also has an impact on your hearing. The next time you are around a noise that bothers your ears—for example, a sporting event, concert, or while hunting—wear hearing protection, which can reduce noise levels 15 to 20 decibels. For extremely loud situations, earmuffs over earplugs might be necessary. Be aware of other activities or situations that include loud noises, like hair drying or lawn-mowing. Make it easy for yourself to protect your ears by hanging earmuffs over the lawn mower handle, or keeping ear plugs in the bathroom next to your hair dryer. Repeated exposure to loud noises can have a cumulative, damaging effect on your hearing.
If your physician prescribes you medications, be sure to ask if the prescribed medications are ototoxic, or harmful to the ears, or if the drugs are associated with tinnitus as a side effect. This information is easily obtained in the Physicians Desk Reference.
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Can anything make tinnitus worse?
Exposure to loud noises, as mentioned earlier, can have a negative effect on your hearing and exacerbate tinnitus. Be sure to protect yourself with earplugs, earmuffs, or by simply not taking part in noisy events.
Some medications can make tinnitus worse. Tell all of your physicians—not just your ear, nose, and throat doctor—about all prescription and over the counter medications you are currently taking or have recently taken.
Many people find that alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine can worsen their tinnitus, as can eating certain foods. Some people find that foods with a high sugar content or any amount of quinine (tonic water) make their tinnitus seem louder. Monitor how you respond to different stimuli, and find a healthy balance where you do not eliminate all the foods that you love, but also where you do not unnecessarily exacerbate your tinnitus.
Finally, stress and fatigue can affect your tinnitus. Make time to relax, and understand that life events can manifest themselves in your body in the form of increased tinnitus. Of course, this is easier said than done. Finding a good support network can help. ATA has a network of self-help groups and help network volunteers who can help you learn coping skills.
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What kind of tinnitus research is being done?
Research funded by the American Tinnitus Association focuses on two main areas: mechanisms and management. "Tinnitus mechanisms" research explores what the condition is about, where it occurs, how it occurs—the who, what, where, when, and why questions. "Tinnitus management" research looks into treatments available, how well those treatments work, and how they compare to one another. The ATA attempts to find a balance between the two types of research. Read more about tinnitus research in the ATA Research section.
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What is the role of the ATA Scientific Advisory Committee?
The ATA Scientific Advisory Committee is a group of volunteer researchers and clinicians who review grant applications for tinnitus research funding. After their review, SAC members make recommendations to the ATA Board of Directors on which studies should be funded. Many SAC members are researchers, and several have applied for and received ATA grants, but they must excuse themselves from deliberations on their own submitted grants or on grants from their affiliated hospitals or universities because of conflict of interest.
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Where can I find a health care professional to help me figure out the best treatment?
ATA maintains a listing of health care professionals who self-report their interest in treating tinnitus patients. This listing is available online in our Members section. Or you can call or write to ATA headquarters for a copy. The listing is not exhaustive: there are no doubt many other physicians, audiologists, hearing instrument specialists, and other providers with an active interest in and awareness of tinnitus. If you know of a health professional not included in the listing who would be a good addition to this resource, please let an ATA staff member know. Staff members can also help you track down professionals in your area using other resources; please let us know how we can assist you.
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