What are the Main Symptoms of Tinnitus

Around 50 million Americans, or 15% of the population, are estimated to have experienced tinnitus at some point. Of these, 40% have a form of tinnitus that has started to interfere with their daily lives, work, relationships and routine. Around 20 million of those people with tinnitus find their conditions debilitating and prevents them from completing certain tasks. 

While this shows how tinnitus can vary in strength, it also shows how important it is to speak to an audiologist as soon as you start to experience tinnitus. In this way, you can identify the underlying condition that is triggering it and regain your hearing health. 

Here are some of the most common symptoms of tinnitus, along with some advice on whether you should book an appointment with your audiologist. 

Common symptoms of tinnitus

Tinnitus is defined as a hearing condition that causes to hear phantom noises in the ear canal, such as:

• Clicking
• Hissing
• Ringing 
• Buzzing
• Roaring
• Humming

Most kinds of tinnitus are described as subjective tinnitus, which means that only you can hear the phantom noise in your ears. These noises can be intermittent or constant and vary in intensity. In most cases, you might experience a low roar that does not prevent you from taking part in a conversation. However, sometimes, these can turn into a high squeal that can prevent you from concentrating or hearing other sounds. 

You might experience tinnitus only at some point during the day or constantly. In any case, it is generally more accentuated and noticeable in quiet environments with low background noise. For example, you might hear it the most when trying to concentrate in your office or when you are about to go to sleep, which can increase fatigue, lack of sleep and worsen psychological effects. 

Pulsatile tinnitus

In some cases, you might notice that the phantom noise you hear is rhythmically pulsating in accordance with your heartbeat. This condition is a variant of tinnitus and is referred to as pulsatile tinnitus, which can sometimes be heard by your audiologist during your examination. This is called objective tinnitus.

All types of tinnitus can be caused by a change or deterioration in cardiovascular health. Indeed, high blood pressure and accumulation of plaque on artery walls can impede blood flow in the heart, causing tinnitus. However, pulsatile tinnitus is even more closely associated with heart disease – so you should immediately see a doctor in this eventuality. 

When you should see an audiologist

Generally, you should see an audiologist when you start to experience tinnitus. Indeed, the underlying condition that is causing your tinnitus might worsen, causing a decline in your hearing quality. An audiologist will be able to identify such a condition and properly address it. 

In particular, you should see an audiologist when:

• You are bothered by tinnitus: If this condition has started to disrupt your daily life, relationships and sleep quality, you need to see an audiologist. 
• If the tinnitus arises after a respiratory infection: If you had a respiratory infection and then tinnitus which is not improving, make an appointment with the audiologist within the week.
• You are feeling the psychological effects of tinnitus: When the tinnitus starts to get in the way of your daily life and personal relationships, you might start to feel anxious and depressed. In this case, you should immediately see an audiologist.