The 4 Different Types of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is one of the most common health issues in America, with experts estimating that at least 10% of the adult population experiences the symptoms. If you encounter tinnitus on a regular basis, visiting an audiologist is vital. Without the right management plan in place, tinnitus can cause major disruption and discomfort.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is characterized as hearing sounds when they are not produced by an external sound source. Commonly reported sounds include but are not limited to:

• Beeping
• Buzzing
• Clicking
• Hissing

Tinnitus may occur in one ear or both ears. The symptoms may also be intermittent or continuous. Even if tinnitus only causes minimal disruption to your life, it is important to see an audiologist to gain an accurate diagnosis. 

The Four Different Types of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is usually a sign of an underlying issue, such as hearing loss or an ear infection. When you visit an audiologist regarding tinnitus, your diagnosis is likely to fall into one of the following four categories:

• Subjective tinnitus 
• Neurological tinnitus 
• Somatic tinnitus
• Objective tinnitus

Subjective Tinnitus

Subjective tinnitus is the most common type by far. This is when you perceive sounds that are only heard by you. It is usually caused when the auditory pathway – including the cochlea, auditory nerve, brain stem nuclei and auditory cortex has been disrupted. When experiencing the sounds, they can make it difficult to follow genuine sounds from external sources.

The sounds you may perceive could include any of the aforementioned sounds, such as buzzing or beeping. Due to its nature of impacting the auditory pathway, subjective tinnitus usually causes lifelong symptoms – although there are cases where temporary tinnitus passes after a short time and does not return.

Subjective tinnitus is commonly a result of exposure to loud noise. The symptoms may vary greatly between one person and the next while individuals may also experience contrasting lengths and intensities from one bout to the next. 

Neurological Tinnitus

Neurological tinnitus is, unsurprisingly, a form of tinnitus that stems from a neurological disorder. It is caused by issues affecting the brain’s auditory sensory functions, which is why this type of hearing loss is also known as sensory tinnitus. It is a subset of subjective tinnitus because only you can hear the perceived sounds like chiming or whooshing. 

A host of neurological conditions can provide the underlying cause of neurological tinnitus. Meniere’s disease is perhaps the most well-known, although other disorders that affect your brain’s auditory sensory processing may be the cause. 

There is no known cure for neurological tinnitus, but the impact of its symptoms on your daily life can be significantly reduced through a dedicated program. It may include cognitive behavioral therapy, hearing aids or masking.

Somatic Tinnitus

Also known as conductive tinnitus or somatosensory, somatic tinnitus is linked to touch and physical movement. Common causes of somatic tinnitus include twisting the neck and impacted wisdom teeth, which may lead the jaw to pop. Muscle spasms in the neck and ear can also contribute to somatic tinnitus, which often comes on suddenly during these moments of discomfort. 

The easiest way to tell if your tinnitus falls into this category is to begin moving your head, neck, jaw and eyes. If this makes the buzzing or whirling sounds become noticeably louder or quieter, it is a clear indicator that this is a form of somatic tinnitus – especially if it lasts for a few minutes before subsiding.

Somatosensory is a subset of subjective tinnitus. In addition to touch, it can be brought on by pressure, temperature changes and pain. In cases of conductive tinnitus, the issues are primarily linked to the outer functions of the ear.

Somatic tinnitus is most commonly treated with sound therapy or massage therapy. However, an audiologist will need to complete a diagnosis first.

Objective Tinnitus

Objective tinnitus is instantly distinguishable from all forms of subjective tinnitus because the sounds can actually be heard by an audiologist, who will use a stethoscope to check for sounds around your ear and neck. The sounds often harmonize with your heartbeat, but more irregular patterns can be found. If this type of tinnitus is diagnosed, it is usually possible to find a permanent fix.

Book an Appointment with an Audiologist About Tinnitus

If you experience any kind of tinnitus, it could be a sign of hearing loss or a host of underlying issues. A comprehensive examination will provide an accurate diagnosis followed by a dedicated management strategy, whether that involves wearing hearing aids or undergoing therapy.

Book your appointment by calling Norriton Hearing Center at (610) 228-2779 today.