Tinnitus is the perception of sound (often ringing) in the ear/s or head when no external physical source for the sound is present. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease in itself.
Is it serious? Tinnitus is rarely a sign of a serious underlying condition. For some people it may come and go and only be a minor irritation.
Yes. Tinnitus can incapacitate you from work, leading to disability.
Tinnitus (pronounced tin-NY-tus or TIN-u-tus) is not a disease. It is a symptom that something is wrong in the auditory system, which includes the ear, the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, and the parts of the brain that process sound.
While it has no clear cure or cause, it affects millions of people in the world on some level and can be challenging to cope with. Thankfully, it's entirely possible to live a normal life even with tinnitus.
If you experience your tinnitus in short bursts, maybe only a few minutes each, there's a good chance that it will fade over time. However, if it has been going on for months or even years, then it's likely that the condition is permanent. It does still depend on the cause though.
Like many other conditions that affect the hearing, tinnitus can also affect your quality of life. Many people who have tinnitus claim that they find it hard to think, sleep, concentrate, or enjoy silence. Untreated tinnitus can wreak even more havoc on your life, leading to irritability, insomnia, and even depression.
Many doctors simply never become aware of any actual treatments available for tinnitus sufferers. Another issue is that doctors often feel uncomfortable addressing the psychological and emotional impacts of a problem like tinnitus.
Tinnitus and Cognitive Impairments
Although hearing loss may be a major symptom that can cause long-term issues for tinnitus sufferers, most cases list cognitive impairments as one of the main reasons for their disability. Tinnitus can make it impossible to focus, sleep, or concentrate.
If you have been exposed to very loud noise on a regular basis, you could experience a constant sound in the ear accompanied by hearing loss or damage. If someone else was to blame for your exposure to loud noises or caused you to have an accident, you could claim compensation for tinnitus.
No, Medicare doesn't pay for tinnitus treatment. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, tinnitus treatment is “considered an experimental therapy” and doesn't have enough “controlled clinical trials demonstrating effectiveness.”
The standard rating for recurrent tinnitus is 10 percent, and this rating applies whether your condition affects both or just one ear. According to the VA compensation table for December 2021, a 10 percent rating warrants a monthly benefit of $152.64 for tinnitus.
An MRI scan may reveal a growth or tumor near the ear or the eighth cranial nerve that could be causing tinnitus. Imaging tests can also help doctors evaluate pulsatile tinnitus. They can show changes in the blood vessels near the ears and determine whether an underlying medical condition is causing symptoms.
Most people experience tinnitus in both ears, called bilateral tinnitus. Less commonly it develops in only one ear, called unilateral tinnitus. Tinnitus may be a sign of injury or dysfunction of the inner ear, and is often associated with age- or noise-related permanent hearing loss.
But, if you are experiencing a long-term condition affecting the ear, such as Meniere's disease, your tinnitus may be more long-lasting or even permanent. If your tinnitus is caused by the natural loss of hearing that's common with aging, then it may also be permanent.
The maximum tinnitus VA rating will always be 10% but veterans can receive an increased rating if their service connected tinnitus directly led to or worsened other serious conditions; OR if their tinnitus was caused by an injury and/or disease that occurred during their time in service.
A diagnosis of tinnitus on its own receives a 10 percent disability rating, which corresponds to a monthly compensation amount of $142.29. But in many cases, other conditions cause tinnitus, and these conditions may warrant higher impairment ratings and thus greater compensation.
The GP will look in your ears to see if your tinnitus is caused by something they can treat, like an ear infection or a build-up of earwax. They might also check for any hearing loss. You may be referred to a specialist for further tests and treatment.
Myth #2: Tinnitus means your brain is dying
No, tinnitus in itself does not mean your brain is dying. However, tinnitus is a symptom that many people with brain injuries experience. One study showed that roughly 76 percent of veterans with a traumatic brain injury also experienced tinnitus.
Tinnitus causes changes in brain networks
In a study by researchers at the University of Illinois, they found that chronic tinnitus has been linked to changes in certain networks in the brain. These changes make the brain more attentive and less relaxed.
Electrical and Magnetic Stimulation of the Ear
A June 2022 study used electrical stimulation of the ear and showed a 79% improvement rate in tinnitus symptoms. There were no negative side effects. The treatment was non-invasive, meaning no surgery was required.
You may need to see your doctor if: You have tinnitus that sounds like a heartbeat (pulsatile tinnitus) You also have dizziness, vertigo, or hearing loss. Your tinnitus comes on suddenly.
See an audiologist if it persists more than two weeks
Most temporary tinnitus cases will last for two weeks, so if your symptoms last longer than that and things aren't getting better, it makes sense to take action.