Many seniors grapple with tinnitus, a hearing defect that causes discomfort to millions of people. According to the CDC, 8% of all adults have tinnitus. As seniors age, hearing loss exacerbates this condition. Although tinnitus can't be cured, there are several ways seniors at LifeStream at Glendale, an independent living community in Arizona, can reduce the distress it causes.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a condition where you hear sounds in your ears, even though other people don't hear them. Commonly, you'll hear a constant ringing at a certain frequency, although some people also hear multiple frequencies, humming noises, sounds like water rushing or clicking sounds. The sounds often seem louder when everything is quiet. Tinnitus can make it difficult to concentrate, affect sleeping and cause irritation. It makes it difficult to distinguish other noises or what other people are saying.

Age-Related Tinnitus

The condition typically accompanies partial hearing loss as people age. It's estimated that up to 25% of older adults suffer from tinnitus. One of the complications seniors with tinnitus experience is having more difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. Some seniors also experience emotional distress from the continuous noise in their ears.

What Causes Tinnitus?

While no one fully understands the exact causes for tinnitus, factors that contribute towards the condition include:

Age-related hearing loss. There's a strong correlation between age-related hearing loss and tinnitus. It's thought that the hearing nerve, together with the brain, compensates for the loss of hearing by creating phantom sounds.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Very loud and prolonged sound levels can damage the sensitive inner ear hair cells responsible for hearing. This damage is irreversible. Additionally, people who suffer from NIHL may also get tinnitus, which results in disturbing ringing sounds in one or both ears.

Ear injury. Ear injuries can affect the sensitive nerves in the ear. This can result in tinnitus in the affected ear.

Ear condition. An ear infection or blockage from wax may cause temporary or permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

Living With Tinnitus as an Older Adult

Whether you've had tinnitus for years or you're experiencing it for the first time, you'll often find symptoms less noticeable when you're active. It's when you relax, are quiet or are trying to sleep that the unremitting sounds associated with tinnitus cause emotional and physical discomfort.

Although audiologists can only offer limited treatment options, there are several ways to reduce the intrusive effects of tinnitus. These include having a checkup to see if you have an underlying medical condition, using devices that mask the sounds and therapies to help you reframe how you think about the condition.

Physical Examination and Hearing Test

An audiologist can determine whether your tinnitus is caused by age-related hearing loss or some other reason. If necessary, visit an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) who'll check for physical and medical reasons for your tinnitus.

Hearing Aids

Wearing a hearing aid that amplifies external sounds helps reduce the symptoms of tinnitus. You'll hear more clearly and, in most instances, the hearing aid will help you discriminate between tinnitus and other sounds.

Use a Device to Mask Tinnitus

Tinnitus masking devices that create white noise reduce the distracting effects of the condition. These devices often look like hearing aids, and some include the functions of a hearing aid as well. You can use them to improve your hearing while masking tinnitus sounds. If tinnitus keeps you awake at night, playing white noise or soothing music through a speaker or your phone can help distract the brain.

Regular Exercise

Exercising regularly and attending fitness classes can reduce the intensity of tinnitus. Because you're tired, you'll often find it easier to ignore your tinnitus and sleep naturally.

Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Mindfulness-based tinnitus exercises can reduce stress and anxiety associated with tinnitus. Cognitive behavioral therapy also helps by teaching you to reframe how you feel about tinnitus. These therapies reduce emotional distress associated with your condition and increase emotional resilience.