Tinnitus shown to impact physical and mental health

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This post originally appeared on Starkey.com

In honor of National Stress Awareness Month already in progress, we would like to take today’s hearing fact to spotlight tinnitus and the ripple effect it can have on your physical and mental well-being.

Tinnitus is the continuous sensation of ringing or other noise in your ears (for example, buzzing, roaring or humming) when no outside noise is present. This irritating condition is commonly caused by age-related hearing loss, noise exposure, medications, earwax or an ear infection, and other ailments.

Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there is treatment available to relieve symptoms, which we’ll discuss momentarily.

But first, let’s take a closer look at today’s hearing fact and the study that associated tinnitus with a greater likelihood of detrimental, stress-related symptoms.

STUDY EXAMINED LINKS BETWEEN TINNITUS AND STRESSFUL ISSUES

Utilizing a US national health survey, researchers from the University of California, Irvine, and Harvard Medical School compared data of respondents who reported tinnitus symptoms and respondents who did not, within the past 12 months. They also examined whether these participants experienced frequent anxiety and/or depression.

Respondents’ mean number of sleep hours per night, mean number of missed workdays, and amount of alcohol consumption per day were also studied.

The findings:

  • 26.1% of people with tinnitus reported anxiety issues versus 9.2% of those without tinnitus.

  • 25.6% of people with tinnitus reported depression issues versus 9.1% of those without tinnitus.

  • People with tinnitus reported considerably fewer mean hours of sleep than those without tinnitus.

  • People with tinnitus reported greater mean missed workdays than those without tinnitus.

Furthermore, respondents who described their tinnitus in terms of high severity were more likely to report both anxiety and depression.

(There were no significant differences between the two groups when it came to amount of alcohol consumption.)

This study offers strong evidence to support that tinnitus may impact not only your hearing, but also your overall wellness. So, if you believe you may be experiencing tinnitus—or if any of the above data felt all-too familiar to you—fortunately, there are treatment options available.

HEARING AIDS CAN HELP WITH HEARING LOSS, TINNITUS, AND DEPRESSION

As mentioned earlier, tinnitus is frequently linked to some level of hearing loss, whether it is age-related or the product of hearing damage (from noise, for example) over time. By augmenting outside noise and increasing auditory stimulation received by the brain, hearing aids not only can help improve your hearing but also alleviate tinnitus symptoms in the process.

HEARING AIDS CAN REDIRECT FOCUS TO ACTUAL SOUND AND VOICES

Clinical evidence has shown that the amplification power of hearing aids can assist you in becoming less cognizant of your tinnitus and more focused on actual sounds that are present—everything from gravel crunching beneath your feet to people talking beside you.

Hearing voices without frustration helps you participate in conversations, thus making you feel less socially isolated and more engaged in everyday life. 

Being able to hear environmental sounds through hearing aids can also help tone down or mask tinnitus sounds, so you’ll feel less bothered by them.

Moreover, many of the latest hearing aids feature built-in tinnitus technology that creates a comforting sound stimulus to sooth tinnitus sounds. You can even work with a hearing care professional to customize the technology for your individual tinnitus.

HEARING AIDS CAN HELP WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

On top of helping you manage tinnitus, it’s worth sharing that hearing aids are directly linked to a reduced risk of depression and anxiety. So, whether you are battling tinnitus or hearing loss alone, hearing aids can make double-sure your overall wellness is in good hands.

START BY SEEING A HEARING CARE PROFESSIONAL

Indeed, hearing aids are one of several treatments that can help with tinnitus—and potentially depression and anxiety down the track, depending on your situation. Your best first step is to make an appointment with a licensed hearing care professional. They can evaluate your hearing and tinnitus and help you find the best solution for your individual needs.

To find a hearing care professional near you, simply type your zip code in here. You’ll see a list of local providers who you can reach out to.

There’s no better time than Stress Awareness Month to take charge of your overall wellness and start living the quality of life you deserve.

Want to try a hearing test or learn about new devices? Visit Chicagoland Hearing today to learn more about your hearing health.