What is Tinnitus?
The word tinnitus comes from the root word tinnire which means “to ring.” Tinnitus is a noise in the ears or head that is described as ringing, humming, hissing, buzzing, etc.
It is not related to an external sound and is not heard by others. It usually originates from damage to the hair cells in the inner part of the ear and is interpreted in the auditory cortex of the brain. Even if the auditory nerve is severed due to surgery, injury, or a medical condition, tinnitus is still perceived.
Prevalence of Tinnitus
Approximately 10-15% of people report having tinnitus and about 10% of them seek medical attention. A large majority of people who report tinnitus also have some degree of hearing impairment. Even a slight hearing loss can cause tinnitus.
For 90% of people with tinnitus, habituation (adapting to tinnitus so that it is easily ignored) happens naturally. For those who do not habituate, tinnitus treatment options are available. In fact, for 70% of people with tinnitus, hearing aids are an effective treatment.
Causes of Tinnitus
There are many potential causes of tinnitus. Some are related to the ear and some are not. They include:
Noise exposure
Hearing loss
Ear infections
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
Acoustic neuroma or other skull-based tumors
TMJ (temporomandibular joint problems)
Earwax (cerumen)
Side effects of prescription and non-prescription drugs
Head injury
Hyper and hypothyroidism
Idiopathic (unknown) causes
The Latest Tinnitus Developments in 2025
The Limbic System and Tinnitus
The limbic system is a collection of structures in the brain that are responsible for our emotions and our memories. The limbic system contributes to the activation of stress and tinnitus-related anxiety. Simply put, when you hear a sound, the hippocampus in the brain is activated and compares sounds to what it knows and retrieves memories of sounds. This in turn activates the amygdala which then determines the emotional significance of the event and the need, if any, for the release of “flight or fight” neurotransmitters.
How does this relate to tinnitus? When the hippocampus is stimulated by tinnitus it starts to compare that sound to other sound memories stored in your brain. In some people that sound triggers a negative emotional reaction in the amygdala. This may be due to fear that the sound represents something to be afraid of such as a serious medical condition. It’s important to note that most tinnitus is NOT related to a serious medical condition. But when the symptoms first appear, this may not be clear to the person experiencing it. Therefore, the “fight or flight” system is activated in the brain that in turn creates stress and an ongoing cycle of negative reactions ensues.
Tinnitus Evaluation Process
The first step in evaluating tinnitus is a diagnostic hearing evaluation to help determine whether hearing loss or some other medical condition related to the auditory system is the root of the tinnitus. We will also take a medical history and work with you to understand the impact of tinnitus on your daily life.
Tinnitus Evaluation Process
Reduced emotional reactions
Reduced stress
Reduced attention paid to the tinnitus (habituation)
Reduced impact of tinnitus on day-to-day activities
Resolution such that further help is not needed or wanted
What Our Patients
Have to Say
"I no longer have 24 hour ringing in my ears"
by Bob B
