Physical and Emotional Features of Tinnitus Hearing Loss

This condition has been described by those who suffer from it as one of the most physically and emotionally devastating set of symptoms they have ever experienced. Heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne, who suffers from tinnitus, once stated, "You try living your life at 30,000 decibels and see if you can hear!" Hearing loss from tinnitus is not itself a disease, but rather a very pervasive symptom of underlying causes such as ear infections, foreign objects in the ear, and chronic exposure to exceptionally loud noise. It is also an unwelcome side effect of some medications. Tinnitus hearing loss can occur in one or both ears. It is usually described as a constant ringing noise, buzzing, and hissing, humming, whistling, ticking, clicking, roaring, chirping, tunes, beeping or whooshing. These noises range from quiet "background" noises to an internal sound loud enough to eliminate the reception of all sound from the outside world, thus resulting in partial and sometimes total hearing loss.

Tinnitus hearing loss has so many causes; it is sometimes difficult for a physician to determine how to treat the condition. Some causes are ear infections, fever, excessive loud noise, aspirin and non-steroidal medications, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, diuretics, neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, head injury, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder in the jaw), thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, depression, anxiety and Fibromyalgia. Because hearing loss from tinnitus can be permanent conditions, prevention is essential; the use of earplugs in loud noise situations is highly recommended since noise levels as low as 70 decibels can result in reduced hearing capability. If you suspect that a medication might be causing your tinnitus, see your physician immediately to safely discontinue the drug or reduce its dosage.

Emotional Issues Related to Tinnitus Hearing Loss

Tinnitus is unrelenting, plaguing the sufferer all day, every day. This takes a horrific toll on one's emotional state, causing feelings of depression, hopelessness, and helplessness. Actor William Shatner once stated that his tinnitus was so physically and emotionally impairing that he considered suicide several times. Tinnitus hearing loss is also considered as a source of chronic pain; if the inner ear noise is loud enough to cause deafness, it can cause aching or shooting pain in some parts of the ear. Chronic pain is both a medical and psychological issue, and both must be treated.

Living With Tinnitus Hearing Loss

Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, David Letterman, Leonard Nimoy, Sylvester Stallone, and Barbra Streisand all live with tinnitus daily. Treatment for this condition includes ear surgery, elimination of excessive noise and use of ear protection, antianxiety drugs like Klonopin, antidepressant medication, avoidance of caffeine, nicotine and salt, electrical stimulation to the ears, acupuncture, use of "white noise" to block tinnitus sounds, and psychotherapy are all common treatments for tinnitus hearing loss.