Why Do I Hear White Noise? It May Be Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a common hearing condition. Most people have experienced short-term tinnitus following a loud event, but the condition can develop over the long term as well. If you can hear white noise in the background of your hearing, it might be a sign of tinnitus. Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are a variety of ways to help you manage typical symptoms:

• The sound of white noise in the background of your hearing can be a sign of tinnitus.
• Tinnitus affects 15-20% of people across a range of age groups and demographics.
• Tinnitus occurs when the cilia hairs are damaged due to exposure to loud noise.
• Talk to an audiologist or medical professional to test if you have a tinnitus condition. 

Why Do I Hear White Noise? 

White noise, buzzing, humming or grinding are some of the ways that tinnitus is described. Tinnitus is a form of hearing loss that results from the damage or destruction of delicate hairs in the inner ear; the hairs are responsible for translating sound waves into electrical signals. 

There are still some disagreements about what causes tinnitus, but experts think that it’s the brain’s attempt to compensate for the loss of hair cells by filling in the gaps where they should be sound. The brain’s neurological circuits increase the sensitivity to sound, creating some background noise that can sound like the white noise of a TV set tuned to an absent channel.

What is Tinnitus? 

Tinnitus takes different forms; for some people, the condition is the sound of buzzing and white noise in the background; for others, it is a pulsating experience, a roaring, clicking or hissing. Although the mechanics of what causes tinnitus are still unknown, it is certainly related to the loss and damage of cilia hairs in the inner ear; these can be damaged due to work or lifestyle. 

Tinnitus is very common; it affects around 15-20% of people and can be an indication of age-related hearing loss as well as noise-induced hearing loss. Although tinnitus is often caused by damage to the inner ear, it can also result from earwax blockages or a health condition.   

How Did I Get Tinnitus 

If you have ever attended a loud music event, you might have experienced short-term tinnitus the next day. Loud music events normally have sound levels that are around 120 decibels, so if you didn’t wear ear protection, the soundwaves might have temporarily damaged the cilia hairs. 

Chances are the tinnitus experience disappeared after a day or two, but if the exposure is prolonged or frequent, it can result in long-term tinnitus that might require some treatment. It’s common for musicians and factory workers to experience tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss; people working in bars and restaurants can also be at risk of developing the condition.  

How to Check its Tinnitus 

Tinnitus can be caused by noise, but it can also be caused by an underlying health condition. Currently, there is no cure for tinnitus, so you might want to try some simple techniques to manage the symptoms. However, if you want to confirm you have tinnitus and use a hearing device to reduce the symptoms, visit your audiologist to have your hearing checked.   

An audiologist will ask you some questions about your lifestyle and your symptoms; often, this is enough to determine whether or not you have tinnitus. Alternatively, you are given a hearing test; sounds are sent to your ears and you are asked about the quality of the sound.

Are there Tinnitus Treatments?

Tinnitus can be uncomfortable, distressing and anxiety-inducing; if it is severe, it can also impact sleep quality and lead to mental health conditions. Unfortunately, there is no cure for tinnitus, but there are plenty of treatment options. To treat tinnitus effectively, your audiologist might suggest some cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), counseling or a hearing device. 

Tinnitus can be uncomfortable and distressing, but it can be managed effectively with breathing techniques and perspective changes. CBT is one of the best ways to reconfigure your general experience in everyday life, and TRT uses techniques to reduce stress symptoms.  

If you hear white noise in the background of your hearing, you might have developed some tinnitus. Tinnitus can affect people of any age, but it is most common in people over fifty who have worked in noisy environments. To find out more about tinnitus and possible treatment for the condition, contact Norriton Hearing Center at (610) 228-2779 and talk to a professional.