The Connection Between Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Tinnitus and hearing loss are often experienced hand in hand. It is often assumed that tinnitus causes hearing loss, but it does not. However, tinnitus can be a symptom of losing your hearing. There are also some common and uncommon reasons people will typically experience tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus Exactly?

There are many reasons you can experience tinnitus and hearing loss. Hearing loss can be age-related, the result of ear or brain damage or neurological. Tinnitus can also result from these, as well as certain cardiovascular problems. Individuals with tinnitus will often experience it in numerous ways. The most common is sounds in your ears. These can be ringing, hissing, buzzing or whooshing. You may not even notice the sounds until they suddenly come to a stop.

Tinnitus Does Not Cause Hearing Loss

Some believe that tinnitus causes hearing loss, which isn’t accurate. Tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss. So, if you experience tinnitus, it is highly likely you are also experiencing hearing loss. However, they are not mutually exclusive. For example, you may experience tinnitus with hearing loss but not hearing loss with tinnitus. You may also lose your hearing and never experience tinnitus, yet the more severe the hearing loss, the more prevalent the tinnitus.

Tinnitus and Hearing Loss are Related

There is correlation between hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, there is some data that shows the relationship between them. It can vary from case to case, but commonalities do exist. Some things to know about loss of hearing and tinnitus are:

• Approximately 90% of people with hearing loss will experience tinnitus.
• Exposure to loud sounds damages the nerves, causing hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Trouble hearing high frequencies results in hissing or high-pitched ringing tinnitus.

There are also other common factors that can affect your hearing and cause tinnitus. Individuals that do not use ear protection and damage to the bones or nerves can also cause problems.

Uncommon Causes of Tinnitus

There are well-known causes of tinnitus. But there are also some you may not consider or know about. Head and neck injuries can cause hearing loss and further tinnitus where nerves and muscles are connected or close to the ears. High blood pressure can also cause tinnitus and temporary hearing loss and tinnitus is common for people with diabetes. However, even certain medications, such as for cancer treatment, that can cause hearing loss.

Help for Hearing Loss or Tinnitus

Hearing loss and tinnitus can have a major impact on your life. An audiologist will be able to treat and manage your hearing loss as well as your tinnitus. Your audiologist can treat you in numerous ways, including recommending hearing aids with masking features to tune out the tinnitus. However, it may also be as simple as having wax removed on a regular basis, as it can cause infections.

There is an established connection between tinnitus and hearing loss. While tinnitus doesn’t cause loss of hearing, it is a symptom of it. Both are caused by exposure to loud sounds, yet tinnitus can also occur from medication and medical issues.