Tinnitus
"Providing appropriate treatment may require the involvement of several professionals, including specialists in otolaryngology, nursing, audiology, hearing aid fitting, and psychosomatic medicine."
DR. MARTA CHAURE
SPECIALIST. OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY DEPARTMENT
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus refers to sounds that a person hears even though there is no external sound source. It may be perceived in one or both ears. It may also be felt inside the head.
It is estimated to affect between 10% and 17% of the population. In most cases, it does not cause significant discomfort and does not require specific treatment.
The sound may resemble ringing, buzzing, an electrical noise, or have other characteristics. High-pitched sounds are the most common.
When tinnitus is bothersome, it can affect sleep and concentration. It may also make some everyday activities more difficult and cause irritability.
¿Cuáles son los síntomas de los acúfenos?
The main symptom is hearing a sound that does not come from an external source.
Tinnitus is not usually caused by a serious condition. Even so, it is advisable to consult a specialist to assess your hearing and rule out other problems affecting the ear or auditory pathway.
Tinnitus is not usually a symptom of a serious disease but it is recommended to see a specialist to rule out a hearing problem in the first place.
The diseases in which they can appear are:
- Hearing loss (deafness or hearing loss)
- Otitis
- Wax caps
- Tumors of the auditory system
La Dra. Marta Chaure, especialista en Otorrinolaringología de la Clínica Universidad de Navarra, nos explica las dudas más frecuentes sobre los acúfenos
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Do you have any of these symptoms?
If you suspect that you have any of the above symptoms,
you should consult a medical specialist for a diagnosis.
What are the causes of ringing in the ears?
In many cases, the cause of tinnitus cannot be determined, as many people experience tinnitus without any associated disease or condition being identified.
Some factors that may contribute to its onset include:
- Hearing loss.
- Ear infections.
- Exposure to very loud sounds.
- Ototoxic medications. These are medications that can affect the ear. They include acetylsalicylic acid, quinine, and certain antibiotics.
- Earwax blockages.
- Tumors of the auditory nerve.
- Other conditions, such as spinal disorders, temporomandibular joint disorders, or high blood pressure.
Certain circumstances may cause a noticeable increase in tinnitus, including loud noises and stressful situations.
How are tinnitus diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a clinical interview. The healthcare professional will ask what the sound is like, when it began, and how it affects daily life.
It is also necessary to examine the ear and assess hearing. Depending on the individual case, additional tests may be performed to rule out disorders affecting the ear or auditory pathway.
Many people with tinnitus also have hyperacusis. Hyperacusis is an increased sensitivity to external sounds. It makes some everyday sounds more difficult to tolerate.
When no specific cause is found and tinnitus causes significant discomfort, different treatments may be offered. The aim is to improve tolerance and reduce its impact on daily life.
How is ringing in the ears treated?
The available treatments aim to reduce the discomfort caused by tinnitus and its interference with daily life. In this way, they seek to improve sleep, concentration, communication, and quality of life. These treatments do not guarantee that the sound will disappear.
Treatment must be tailored to each person, and results may vary.
Tinnitus retraining therapy, known as TRT, aims to change the way the brain responds to tinnitus.
The brain has the ability to adapt and modify its response to certain stimuli. This ability is known as neural plasticity.
Over time, TRT aims to make tinnitus less significant. The goal is for the brain to stop paying constant attention to it.
This process is known as habituation. It is similar to what happens with the sensation of wearing glasses, a watch, or clothing. Although these stimuli are still present, we are usually unaware of them and they do not cause discomfort.
TRT usually includes two components:
- Therapeutic counseling: helps the patient understand what tinnitus is and how it is processed by the auditory system. It aims to reduce fear, concern, or interpretations that may increase its impact. The goal is for tinnitus to be perceived as a less important signal.
- Sound therapy: uses gentle sounds to enrich the sound environment. The goal is to reduce the contrast between tinnitus and silence and help the brain pay less attention to it.
Sound therapy is mainly carried out at home and in the patient’s usual environment. In selected cases, and when circumstances allow, some sessions may be conducted at the clinic. Environmental sounds, music, or gentle, continuous background noise may be used.
The specialist provides the guidelines and selects the most appropriate type of sound. The specialist also monitors progress and adjusts the treatment when necessary.
Use of hearing devices in patients with hearing loss and tinnitus
Hearing devices help improve hearing. They include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other implantable devices. Their main purpose is to compensate for hearing loss and make communication easier.
Hearing devices often provide an additional benefit for people with tinnitus: by improving their ability to hear sounds in their environment, they reduce the perception of tinnitus and therefore make it easier to tolerate.
This treatment usually includes two components:
- Audiological assessment and selection of the hearing device: the type and degree of hearing loss, as well as individual characteristics, are assessed to determine the best option.
- Programming and follow-up: the device is adjusted to provide the greatest possible hearing benefit. During follow-up, its effect on tinnitus and sound tolerance is also assessed.
Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the way tinnitus is interpreted. It is particularly helpful when tinnitus affects sleep, concentration, mood, or daily activities. It also addresses constant monitoring of the sound, avoidance of activities, and strategies for coping with the discomfort.
This therapy does not aim to eliminate the sound. Its goal is to reduce the attention given to it and change certain automatic responses that increase its impact.
The therapy is tailored to each person’s needs. It may include:
- Information and education about tinnitus.
- Reviewing unhelpful thoughts or interpretations.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Gradual exposure to situations or sounds that have been avoided.
- Strategies to improve sleep.
- Exercises to direct and control attention.
The goal is for tinnitus to become less significant and have progressively less influence on daily life.
The response to treatment varies from person to person. It cannot be guaranteed that tinnitus will disappear, but its impact may be reduced and quality of life may improve.
The Department of Otolaryngology
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the University of Navarra Clinic is a national and world reference in numerous highly specialized surgical procedures.
We have the latest technology and we perform all diagnostic tests in less than 48 hours in order to offer our patients the best solution in the shortest time possible.
We were one of the first centers in Spain to use robotic surgery in the surgical treatment with the Da Vinci® System.
Organized in specialized units:
- Otology - Hearing.
- Rhinology - Nose.
- Pharyngology - Throat.
- Laryngology - Voice.
- Balance disorders.
- Head and neck problems.
Why at the Clinica?
- Experts in the treatment of hearing problems.
- Pioneers in axillary surgery to avoid scarring.
- National reference center in tissue sealing for tonsil removal.
Our team of professionals
