The 4 Different Types of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is often known as ringing in the ears. In this guide, we’ll explore the four different types of tinnitus and share advice if you have symptoms. There are four types of tinnitus, subjective, objective, neurological and somatic. Tinnitus affects people in different ways and some people have very different experiences from others.

Subjective Tinnitus

Subjective tinnitus is the most common type of tinnitus. If you experience subjective tinnitus, you will be able to hear noises that are not caused by external sources. Often, subjective tinnitus occurs following exposure to very loud noises, for example, working on a building site or going to a nightclub or a concert. Subjective tinnitus can come and go suddenly and it can last anywhere from hours to over 12 months. If you experience recurrent symptoms, or your symptoms get worse, it’s beneficial to seek advice from an audiologist.

Neurological Tinnitus

Neurological tinnitus is associated with underlying conditions that affect the brain. If tinnitus impacts the brain’s auditory capabilities, it becomes more difficult to hear clearly. Meniere’s disease is an example of a disorder that can cause neurological tinnitus. Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects the middle ear. It causes symptoms, such as dizziness, feeling unsteady and light-headed, nausea, vomiting, hearing loss and ringing and buzzing noises in the ears.

Somatic Tinnitus

Somatic tinnitus is linked to the sensory system and is often associated with movement and touch. Often, symptoms of somatic tinnitus are triggered by muscle spasms or other mechanical issues, usually in the head and neck. Possible causes include inflammation, impacted wisdom teeth, tooth extraction, accidents and head and neck injuries and poor posture.

Objective Tinnitus

Objective tinnitus is rare. Unlike subjective tinnitus, objective tinnitus can be heard by other people, including audiologists and external observers. Most cases of objective tinnitus are caused by involuntary muscle contraction or vascular abnormalities. Some people find that the noises they can hear coincide with their heart rhythm.

What Are the Effects of Tinnitus?

Tinnitus impacts people in different ways. Some people experience mild, short-lived symptoms, while others go through prolonged periods of experiencing symptoms, which can affect their day-to-day life. Tinnitus can impact sleep quality, which has a knock-on effect on mental and physical health and energy levels. It can also be linked to hearing loss. Most people describe their symptoms as hearing a ringing, buzzing and a whooshing sound.

When to Seek Advice

It is important to seek advice from an audiologist in the following circumstances:

• You experience continuous symptoms.
• Your symptoms are getting worse.
• You have recurrent bouts of tinnitus.
• Tinnitus is affecting your daily life.

What Can Be Done for Tinnitus?

Many people who experience ringing in their ears find that their symptoms subside without the need for any treatment or interventions. Often, this is the case when people have been exposed to very high levels of noise. If your symptoms persist, or they get worse, it’s advisable to visit your local audiologist. An audiologist can run tests and discuss your symptoms with you to try to identify an underlying cause. In some cases, it is possible to ease symptoms by addressing treatable causes, such as a build-up of earwax.

If there is no obvious underlying cause, your audiologist may recommend several therapies or techniques to help you manage your symptoms. Examples include:

• Sound therapy
• Counseling
• Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

If you experience hearing loss, your audiologist may advise you to consider using hearing aids. Hearing aids are innovative devices, which amplify sounds to facilitate better hearing. There is a wide range of hearing aids available. The three main styles of hearing aids include, behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE) and in the canal (ITC).

It is also beneficial to protect your hearing if you are exposed to loud noises regularly. Examples include using ear protection in noisy environments, making use of protective equipment at work and turning the volume down if you’re using headphones to listen to music.

Tinnitus is a common problem, which occurs when you hear noises that are not generated by an external source. There are four types of tinnitus, including subjective, neurological, somatic and objective tinnitus. Many people have mild symptoms that pass quickly, but for others, symptoms can get worse or linger. If you experience tinnitus frequently or your symptoms get worse, seek advice from your audiologist.

If you have any questions about tinnitus, or you’d like to schedule an appointment with an experienced audiologist, contact Siouxland Hearing Healthcare P.L.C. Call us today at (712) 266-3662 today to talk to our friendly team.