Tinnitus impact on mental health are related to each other. Psychologically, tinnitus has long been associated with depression. Tinnitus is a condition that causes cognitive, functional and emotional impairment.
Furthermore, Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing or other sounds in the ears or head in the absence of acoustic stimulation that is not caused by an external source. If a person feels depressed, they can seek help from a therapist trained in tinnitus management.
What is Tinnitus?
The word tinnitus comes from the Latin “tinnire” and means “ringing” in English. It is a disordered brain-ear circuitry. Additionally, Tinnitus is defined as being unrelated to an external acoustic source. Tinnitus is a symptom in which a person hears a ringing or buzzing sound in their ears that is not caused by an external source.
The sufferer usually describes the noise as a variety of hyperboles such as grinding, whistling, humming, growling, chirping, screeching, buzzing. This is a symptom of unknown patho-physiology. Tinnitus can be a psychological problem as it can affect a person’s mental well-being and ability to concentrate.
How would Recognize Tinnitus?
In Addition, How to recognize or identify tinnitus is very important. It is very important to recognize the distressing symptoms immediately and start taking steps to reduce the risk. Tinnitus is a symptom that can have many causes. Tinnitus can be identified from different symptoms.
However, the symptoms are not the same in all cases; A common man should see a doctor if he feels any problem in his body. Tinnitus is unique to the person experiencing it. But the person experiencing it has no external source of sound. People with tinnitus may hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, or other sounds.
What causes Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is especially common in older adults. Besides, it affects 15 to 20 percent of people. Although the exact causes of tinnitus are not fully understood, tinnitus can be identified by the following factors:
- Ear infections or hearing loss: Ear infections or hearing loss are strongly associated with tinnitus. Tinnitus can occur when the ear canals become infected with earwax, dirt, or something else.
- Head or neck injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can damage the structures of the ear, the nerves that carry sound signals to the brain, or parts of the brain that process sound.
- Noise exposure: Many people experience tinnitus after being exposed to loud noises at work or at a sport or concert.
- Medications: Tinnitus can occur as a side effect of certain medications. Lowering or completely eliminating high doses of the drug provides some control. Certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, diuretics, antimalarial drugs and antidepressants. Tinnitus is usually worsened by higher doses of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Blood vessel problems: High blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or malformations of the blood vessels, however, can alter blood flow. This can result in tinnitus as they are located next to the ear.
- Chronic condition: Furthermore, Chronic conditions that have been identified as causing tinnitus are: Diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders, anemia, and some autoimmune disorders such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.
- Jaw joint problems: The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull is close to the ear so that jaw clenching or teeth grinding can damage the surrounding tissue. This can exacerbate the tinnitus problem.
- Meniere’s disease: Tinnitus can cause Meniere’s disease. An inner ear disorder that can cause balance problems and hearing loss.
- Thyroid abnormalities: Older age
- Allergies:
RISK FACTORS:
In general, tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom. of
Because of this, patients have trouble living a comfortable, healthy life.
It can have numerous symptoms that can have a negative impact on the personal quality of life of the affected person. Some of these symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Increased sensitivity to (loud) noises
- Headaches
- Ear pain
Symptoms of tinnitus: Symptoms of tinnitus include hearing the following sounds in one or both ears:
- Ringing
- Roaring
- Hissing
- the buzz
- Clicking
- Chirping
- Flute
- Hushing
The volume and pitch of tinnitus sounds can vary greatly. Tinnitus symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some people report that they hear their tinnitus louder.
Tinnitus and mental health:
Tinnitus and mental health influence each other.
It can be a psychological problem as it disrupts a person’s mental well-being. Tinnitus can trigger or worsen anxiety, depression, anger and stress. Affects the person’s sleep quality and ability to concentrate.
“A buzzing mosquito”; “the whistle of a pressure cooker”; “a train whistle”, imagine what it’s like to have that sound in your head or ears all the time. The affected person hears these sounds while everyone around says they can’t hear them.
The affected person has trouble sleeping at night, and cannot concentrate on work due to noise during the day. A person living with tinnitus stops socializing out of embarrassment because he is emotionally disturbed.
This is everyday life for some people living with tinnitus. Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sounds in the head or ears that have no external source. Research shows this is often described as “ringing in the ears”.
Around 10% of adults in the UK have tinnitus and the rate is higher in the elderly. It has a significant impact on the quality of life of 1 in 10 people. It is possible to experience tinnitus as a child, but it is more common in older people and people with hearing loss.
27-year-old Nick from New York said at Research
He realizes that his ears are ringing. When he was young, he considered this phenomenon to be normal. After seeing the doctor, he realized that he had tinnitus.
Nick noticed his mental health deteriorating – he says I believe I’m struggling with mild depression.” He now consults with healthcare professionals about his mental health.
What research says about tinnitus and mental health
“Tinnitus should not be seen in isolation,” says Dr. Stelios Dokianakis, an audiologist at Holland Doctors of Audiology and an officer on the board of directors of the American Tinnitus Association, about tinnitus.
The effects of mild chronic tinnitus can lead to mental-health problems along with other comorbidities.
Research suggests there may be a link between chronic tinnitus and mental health. A June 2021 study published in JAMA Psychiatry reviewed this potential connection.
Researchers tracked middle-aged residents of the Rotterdam area of the Netherlands for five years.
Researchers evaluated data from more than 6,000 participants in a five-year long study.
Tinnitus symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. One can hear sounds in one ear, both ears and in the head. Participants are known to assess age-related diseases and problems, including tinnitus—most often associated with hearing loss. They had more problems in three key areas: mental health depression, anxiety and sleep problems.
In fact, Famous people who suffered from tinnitus include Joan of Arc (1412-31), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Bedrich Smetana, a great composer of his time who described his tinnitus as a “high E”. Charles Darwin even recorded the amplitude and frequency of his tinnitus every day. Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci were other famous people who suffered from tinnitus.
How to deal with Tinnitus:
Although, The exact cause of tinnitus is not yet fully understood . Below are some measures on how to deal with it.
Tinnitus sufferers may consult a psychologist to deal with tinnitus and to receive reassurance.
1. Tinnitus coping strategies
Most cases of tinnitus are subjective, meaning only the person affected can hear the sound. As a result, Coping with a new disability like tinnitus can be difficult. In this case, a mental-health specialist should be consulted. Dr. Victoria Coleman, a clinical mental-health consultant, says that people with tinnitus need a psychiatrist’s help to improve their condition.
He also noted that people with tinnitus need to be reassured that “they’re not mad ” because they hear sounds that no one else can.
People with tinnitus should try to overcome negative thoughts about themselves. It is important to counsel yourself along with the doctor.
Ref: https://www.hearingtracker.com/news/how-tinnitus-impacts-your-mental-health
2. Untangling the tinnitus-mood connection:
Since there is no single treatment for tinnitus, efforts are made to reduce the perception of tinnitus and to improve the patient’s quality of life. Tinnitus affects quality of life. When a person has this problem chronically, it is not unusual to feel upset. When other chronic illnesses are added, it may increase. Audiologist Dr. Stelios Dokianaki of Holland Doctors of Audiology told Hearing Tracker that we should not view tinnitus in isolation. “The effects of tinnitus can lead to mental-health problems.
Tinnitus has more than a relationship with mental health as it creates an environment of loneliness, depression, hearing loss, self-esteem damage.
So the person has to try his own way to eliminate the irritable condition by controlling the mood.
3. improve your sleep:
There are things you can try to help deal with tinnitus. Try to find ways to improve your sleep. Reducing caffeine or fixing bedtime routines.
4. Exercise:
Try to relax to deal with tinnitus – deep breathing or yoga can help. Do yoga to revitalize yourself.
5. Join a support group :
Join a support group- talking to other people with tinnitus can help you cope. This get together helps to boost morale.
Preventing tinnitus
Try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse. Avoid stress, loud background noise or partying. Don’t focus on tinnitus, because it can make it worse – lose interest in hobbies and activities. You can take sound therapy. Utilizing hearing protection such as noise-canceling headphones can help prevent tinnitus.
