Tinnitus is a term that stands for hearing sounds/voices from your own body instead of any external environment. At some point in life, nearly everyone experiences tinnitus, even if just for a short period of time. Think of a time when you were exposed to particularly loud music, whether at a rally, concert, or another event. You may have even experienced tinnitus symptoms when listening to your music too loud.
Afterwards, you may have heard a ringing in your ears or found it harder to hear, like sounds were further away. This may have only lasted for a few minutes or, if you were exposed to those sounds for hours at a time, maybe even an entire day.
Most of the time, this fades, but in a few cases, it can last for long periods of time. When tinnitus lasts for six months or longer, it becomes known as chronic tinnitus.
While it may yet fade or dissipate completely, for many people, chronic tinnitus becomes a lifelong ailment, making it difficult to concentrate and hear properly and having any number of other side effects.
However, what does tinnitus actually sound like? Does it sound the same for every person? Does it affect one ear or both? If both, does it sound the same in both ears?
These are all questions we will address, along with some general information that can prove useful if you or someone you know is suffering from tinnitus.
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What Does Tinnitus Sound Like?
Often, tinnitus is described as having a “ringing” sound, but that is not the case for everyone experiencing symptoms. In some cases, the sound is like a high-pitched electronic whine or a low hum. Others describe it as a hissing noise or a roar like a waterfall. Still more, they hear a whooshing sound, a peculiar pulsing, or even clicks.
What soon becomes clear is that tinnitus does not sound the same for everyone. This can sometimes make it difficult to discern whether what you are experiencing is tinnitus, especially since the most common term describes it as a ringing sound.
While it is common for tinnitus to affect both ears, there are instances where only one ear is affected, especially if that ear alone was exposed to a loud noise or elevated music for an extended period of time.
Yet, even when affecting the pair, the tinnitus may sound different, persist at different volumes, or even exist at different pitches, causing a locust-like dissonance in your head.
The Two Types of Tinnitus
There are two major types of tinnitus:
Subjective Tinnitus
The most common type of tinnitus is called subjective tinnitus. This is where you, and you alone, experience these sounds.
At times, it may sound like tinnitus exists in the room with you, especially during intermittent periods when the sound can increase in volume suddenly, yet anyone else in the room will look at you in puzzlement if you ask if they can hear the sound.
These phantom sounds are often the result of damage to the tiny fibres that accept sound waves and process sound, much the way fingers and skin process how objects feel. When injured, they can lie down or function erroneously, resulting in the “detection” of sounds that are not really there.
They transmit that signal to your brain and you “hear” that sound. Or think you do, anyway.
Objective Tinnitus
While rare, sometimes a doctor can listen to your ears with sensitive equipment and hear the sound, too. This is called objective tinnitus.
In this case, the sound is not phantom at all, but likely caused by something within your body, either an issue inside the middle ear, unnatural muscle contractions, or something unexpected occurring with blood vessels and the circulatory system.
Sometimes, tinnitus occurs as a side effect of certain medications, so this may be the case as well. Stress and anxiety can also bring on symptoms and are certainly increased by the presence of tinnitus.
Can Tinnitus Be Treated?
It can be difficult to treat tinnitus because there are so many potential causes for it. Here are just a few culprits:
- Hearing loss (including from old age)
- Loud noises
- Ear infections
- Head trauma
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Obesity
- Tumors within the head and neck
- Ear bone growth
When certain symptoms can be identified, doctors can treat them and possibly resolve the tinnitus as a result. Most of the time, however, little can be done.
Over time, those who suffer from chronic tinnitus learn to cope with it. Much like with people who suffer from an abundance of floaters in their vision, it is something that people often get used to and notice less over time.
Nonetheless, there are different degrees of tinnitus, which can cause a lot of distress to some people, especially in exceptional cases. The “ringing” can be heard more easily when it is quiet and can interfere with a person’s sleep cycle.
As a result, many people play variants of white noise when they sleep or listen to music so that the tinnitus fades into the background and is less noticeable. Hearing aids can prove useful in reducing symptoms by drawing in more of the neighbouring sounds to cover them.
Dealing with the Side Effects of Tinnitus
Speaking to a qualified physician can help find new and better ways to deal with symptoms of tinnitus and possibly help discover ways or medicines that prove effective to reduce or eliminate it completely.
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other side effects as a result of these phantom sounds, there are counsellors available that are willing to help. They may know additional coping techniques and can provide treatment to improve your quality of life.
Fortunately, studies into tinnitus are always ongoing, and new and exciting techniques may arise that can help you with your tinnitus symptoms.
The Bottom Line
Tinnitus manifests in different people in different ways. If you feel that you are experiencing tinnitus and it does not go away within a week or longer, it is a good idea to consult a physician. They may be able to identify the problem and propose treatment to resolve the problem.
Remember, the best cure is often prevention. When in situations where there are prolonged loud noises, such as in factories or at concerts, wear appropriate protection to ensure that your ears do not suffer damage that may lead to tinnitus.
