As seniors grow older, they regularly describe experiencing sounds like humming, hissing, buzzing, or ringing in the ear canal. These sounds, known as tinnitus, can cause distress and confusion for many seniors. While tinnitus is more prevalent in later life, not all cases in seniors are simply “age-related,” and recognizing the difference is important.
You should never simply tolerate tinnitus as a standard part of the aging experience, especially when it impacts your mental health. Today, we are examining what’s age-related, what isn’t, and what you can do if you have tinnitus.
What Is Tinnitus?
In simplest terms, tinnitus is the personal experience of noise that no one else can hear. Individuals often characterize the sound as a high-pitched ring, though buzzing, static, or humming are also common. The intensity varies from a slight irritation to a major disruption, and it may be felt in a single ear or both.
According to the National Library of Medicine, in a general elderly population:
- Tinnitus is present in about one in five seniors.
- Daily life is compromised for 10% of older people living with tinnitus.
- Individuals with hearing loss were twice as likely to have tinnitus.
Persistent or high-volume tinnitus often contributes to significant emotional distress, including anxiety, exhaustion, and depression. Luckily, there is support available. We will start by examining the distinctions between tinnitus caused by the aging process and other triggers.
Identifying Tinnitus Caused by Aging
Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, stands as a primary driver of tinnitus in the senior population.
In these cases, tinnitus often:
- Emerges slowly as the auditory pathway changes.
- Presents simultaneously with a decline in hearing ability.
- Takes the form of constant high-pitched ringing.
- Is easier to detect when the surroundings are silent.
When Tinnitus Is Not Just About Aging
Aging isn’t always the sole factor, as many older individuals experience tinnitus due to environmental influences, such as:
- Past exposure with damaging decibel levels from machinery or military environments.
- The use of pharmaceuticals, including high-dose aspirin or intensive antibiotics.
- Circulatory health issues, such as high blood pressure or other vascular disorders.
- Earwax impaction, which is frequently seen in later life.
Why Tinnitus Must Not Be Dismissed
Yet, it is important to realize that chronic tinnitus takes a toll on:
- Sleep hygiene.
- Your mental clarity and recall of important information.
- Your emotional stability and your general level of anxiety.
- Your standard of life and social activities.
What You Can Do
- Utilizing hearing aids to provide the brain with more auditory input and lessen tinnitus focus.
- Sound therapy or masking techniques.
- Working with a physician to adjust prescriptions that may be triggering the noise.
- Adopting new habits that focus on stress reduction and better sleep patterns.
Contact our team of specialists today to schedule an appointment. We are ready to provide the support you need.