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Tinnitus: what it is and how to deal with it

You've probably experienced that annoying, sometimes even debilitating ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus.

The U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that about 10 per cent of the adult population has some form of the condition.

A 2010 study published in the International Journal of Audiology suggests as many as 20 per cent of adults may experience it.

But what causes it, and what can we do to cope with it?

Broken auditory pathway

The uncomfortable phantom noise can sound like hissing, whistling, roaring, and can be loud, soft, high-pitched or low-pitched, said longevity expert Sharon Basaraba.

"You are hearing something that's not there. It doesn't mean you're imagining it. It's a sign that something's cock-eyed in your auditory system."

One theory is that your brain is not hearing every frequency, so it compensates by creating sounds in the missing frequencies, essentially filling in the gaps, Basaraba said.

Causes of tinnitus

No single cause has been identified, but a number of things can trigger tinnitus, said Basaraba.

These can include minor issues such as too much ear wax, a sinus infection, an ear infection or exposure to loud noise, as well as more serious conditions, such as hormonal changes, the onset of hearing loss, thyroid disorders, hypertension, arthritis and in rare cases brain tumours.

Additionally, more than 200 medications are known to cause tinnitus when started or stopped.

Coping strategies

As far as we know, tinnitus cannot be cured or eliminated entirely yet, said Basaraba. Current therapies are aimed at masking and coping with the noise.

Dietary changes, such as cutting caffeine and alcohol, have worked for some, said Basaraba.

Wearable sound generators, which are little ear plugs that fit in your ear and make white noise, can mask the phantom ringing.

For those who have trouble sleeping, an inexpensive option is a white noise sound machine that fits on your desktop or nightstand, Basaraba said.

"The problem does seem to be worse when you're stressed, and ironically tinnitus itself can cause stress," said Basaraba, who also recommends seeing a counsellor.

Finally, a visit to your doctor may help you figure out if it's a side effect of medication, and if it warrants a change in prescription.

To hear the full interview with Sharon Basaraba, listen to the audio labelled: Tinnitus: how to cope with the ringing in your ears.