Definition: Imagine you've had great hearing for years. All of a sudden, you start to notice a noise, even when it's quiet. It can be a ringing tone, or a static noise coming from nowhere. It's there 24 hours a day. This is tinnitus -- and chances are, you developed it from overexposure to noise. Whether it's loud music from your iPod or on stage playing in your band, or from exposure to loud machinery at work, tinnitus is one of the most common forms of noise-induced hearing loss in the world.It's a problem that many people face without even knowing it. But what is tinnitus, and how do you get it? And, most importantly, what can you do to avoid it?
Tinnitus is, quite simply, a ringing in the ear that cannot be stopped. The ringing may take several shapes. Tinnitus can vary in volume level, and is a degenerative disorder; as time goes on, tinnitus tends to worsen, especially with prolonged and continued exposure. It's thought that tinnitus is caused by over-stimulated auditory nerves in the ear. These nerves become permanently damaged, causing the ringing noise.
Tinnitus never heals itself, and while there are many prescription and over-the-counter treatments aimed at reducing the symptoms, the only known cure is to sever the auditory nerve -- which renders the patient deaf in the affected ear, and could potentially not work if the tinnitus is the result of certain brain-related causes.
Protecting yourself in high-volume situations -- especially on stage or with your earphones -- is key to avoiding exposure tinnitus. High frequency spikes such as onstage monitor feedback and too-loud guitar amps can be primary causes of devastating tinnitus in a short period of time.
Remember, time + exposure = loss. Whether using earplugs or reducing your exposure times, protecting your hearing now will prevent an incurable disorder such as Tinnitus in the future.
Tinnitus is, quite simply, a ringing in the ear that cannot be stopped. The ringing may take several shapes. Tinnitus can vary in volume level, and is a degenerative disorder; as time goes on, tinnitus tends to worsen, especially with prolonged and continued exposure. It's thought that tinnitus is caused by over-stimulated auditory nerves in the ear. These nerves become permanently damaged, causing the ringing noise.
Tinnitus never heals itself, and while there are many prescription and over-the-counter treatments aimed at reducing the symptoms, the only known cure is to sever the auditory nerve -- which renders the patient deaf in the affected ear, and could potentially not work if the tinnitus is the result of certain brain-related causes.
Protecting yourself in high-volume situations -- especially on stage or with your earphones -- is key to avoiding exposure tinnitus. High frequency spikes such as onstage monitor feedback and too-loud guitar amps can be primary causes of devastating tinnitus in a short period of time.
Remember, time + exposure = loss. Whether using earplugs or reducing your exposure times, protecting your hearing now will prevent an incurable disorder such as Tinnitus in the future.
Examples:
Tinnitus can come as a medium to loud tone ringing in your ear, or as an incessant white noise.
