Many seniors notice persistent humming, whistling, or ringing sounds that don’t have an external source. For many older people, the experience of tinnitus can interfere with their peace of mind and lead to significant distress. While advancing in years often triggers tinnitus, it shouldn’t always be dismissed as an inevitable consequence of aging.
Tinnitus can disrupt and diminish your quality of life, and you should not feel forced to accept it as a part of the aging process. Today, we are examining what’s age-related, what isn’t, and what you can do if you have tinnitus.
Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source. Individuals often characterize the sound as a high-pitched ring, though hissing, buzzing, or roaring are also common. Whether it is a continuous noise or one that is intermittent, tinnitus can range from a slight irritation to a severe disruption.
Research cited by the National Library of Medicine reveals important trends among seniors:
- 1 in 5 people has tinnitus.
- Ten percent of those affected find that tinnitus significantly disrupts their daily routine.
- Individuals with hearing loss faced double the risk of tinnitus.
If it’s loud or doesn’t let up, tinnitus can lead to fatigue, depression, anxiety, and mental and emotional anguish. Luckily, there is support available. But first, let’s dive into the difference between age-related and non-age-related tinnitus.
Identifying Tinnitus Caused by Aging
One of the most common causes of tinnitus in older adults is age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis.
Common characteristics of age-linked tinnitus include:
- Emerges gradually as the auditory system changes.
- Occurs in conjunction with hearing loss.
- Is frequently characterized as high-frequency ringing or static-like noise.
- Is easier to detect when the surroundings are silent.
Non-Age-Related Triggers
While age-related changes play a role, many cases of tinnitus in older adults are linked to other triggers, including:
- Occupational or recreational noise damage sustained during youth.
- Ototoxic drugs, which include high doses of common medicines.
- Cardiovascular conditions, including high blood pressure.
- An excess of earwax, a condition occurring regularly with seniors.
Why Tinnitus Shouldn’t Be Dismissed
However, ongoing tinnitus can affect:
- The overall restfulness of your nightly sleep.
- Mental capacity such as recall and daily attention.
- Overall mood balance and the possibility of increased stress.
- Your standard of life and social activities.
What You Can Do
- Wearing hearing aids to provide the brain with increased auditory stimulation and reduce tinnitus focus.
- Sound therapy or masking techniques.
- Evaluating and adjusting current medications if they are found to be harmful to hearing.
- Implementing new habits that focus on stress reduction and better sleep patterns.
Get in touch with our clinical staff immediately to book your full evaluation. We are ready to provide the support you need.