The 4 Different Types of Tinnitus

Around 50-million Americans – some 15% of the population – experience tinnitus. However, not everyone experiences it the same way. Some people experience a high level of constant ringing; others only have mild ringing from time to time. There are also different types of tinnitus, too. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at those four types of tinnitus and also run through the different treatment options offered by a hearing instrument specialist (HIS).

Subjective Tinnitus

Subjective tinnitus is the most common form of tinnitus. The clue to this type is in its name; it’s subjective, which refers to the fact that it can only be heard by the individual. It stands in contrast to objective tinnitus, which can be heard by HIS in the right conditions. In most cases, subjective tinnitus is caused by repeated exposure to loud noises. This form of tinnitus can come and go without explanation, sometimes lasting for only a few months before disappearing. Some people experience the ringing noise associated with tinnitus permanently.

Neurological Tinnitus

Not all instances of tinnitus are caused by loud noises. Some, such as neurological tinnitus, are caused by diseases that impact the inner ear, such as Meniere’s disease. People that contract this disease may experience a host of ear-related issues, including tinnitus. Normally the ringing is limited to just one of the ears. Over time, the hearing loss may become more extensive. The cause of Meniere’s disease and why people get it are not known.

Somatic Tinnitus 

Somatic tinnitus is a type of subjective tinnitus in that the ringing can only be heard by the individual. It’s sometimes called somatosensory tinnitus, and in one study, it was found that 12% of people who had subjective tinnitus had somatic tinnitus. It can be caused by various damages to the jaw and neck area.

Some people that have this type of tinnitus may find that their condition worsens when they put pressure on their neck, such as lying on an uncomfortable pillow. The muscle spasm that it induces can cause a ringing in the ears, either immediately or several hours later.

Objective Tinnitus

Objective tinnitus is a rare type of tinnitus. Most people have an individual experience of tinnitus; though they can tell other people that they have ringing in their ears, there’s no way that a hearing instrument specialist can independently verify that the ringing is there. Objective tinnitus is different. In the right conditions and with the right tools, HIS can observe the ringing within the ear.

It’s usually caused by a muscle contraction or a vascular disorder. The ringing is treated by correcting the issue that led to the tinnitus in the first place, and in some cases, the hearing will disappear completely.

Different Levels of Tinnitus

You can’t class tinnitus in one group. While there’s a broad overlap between cases – in that the person has a ringing in their ears – people’s experience of the condition varies widely. For some people, their tinnitus has only a minimal impact on their life; they may only experience ringing in their ears from time to time, at a volume that doesn’t distract them in any way.

But other people have a different experience. They have loud, near constant ringing in their ears that can significantly impact their ability to concentrate on tasks or pay attention to conversations.

Treatment Options for Tinnitus

There is a range of treatment options available for people with tinnitus. The correct treatment will depend on the type of tinnitus you have. There’s only really a cure for one type – objective tinnitus. That’s because the condition is caused by factors that can be corrected, such as muscle contractions. However, it’s not always possible to permanently cure this type.

Most people do not have objective tinnitus. So, what about them? Many people notice a significant improvement in their condition if they use a hearing aid and take part in sound therapy. In fact, one study showed that 70% of patients who took this approach reported a big improvement in the severity of their tinnitus. If you’re experiencing tinnitus, then it’s best to book an appointment with a hearing instrument specialist.

Contact Belcher Hearing Today

You don’t need to just accept tinnitus. You can take action. Here at Belcher Hearing, we offer a range of hearing-related services, including hearing evaluations and hearing aid fittings. To make an appointment, you can give us a call at (706) 407-4003, or you can use our online appointment scheduling feature to choose a location and time that suits you.