TINNITUS : DEFINITION, CAUSES AND TECHNIQUES TO AVOID THEM

LES ACOUPHÈNES : DÉFINITION, CAUSES ET TECHNIQUES POUR LES EVITER

TINNITUS: DEFINITION, CAUSES AND TECHNIQUES TO AVOID THEM

Tinnitus is a so-called "parasitic" noise that a person hears without their real existence being demonstrable. We tend to believe that this ailment only affects a handful of people, but this is unfortunately not the case. Indeed, in France, about 20% of the population is affected by it, with a proportion of 30% among adults. Tinnitus can be mild or severe, permanent or temporary.

 

OBJECTIVE TINNITUS AND SUBJECTIVE TINNITUS

For a sound to be perceived by an ear, it must be real and come from the outside. However, some people may hear a noise without it being real. This hearing sensation is called tinnitus. Perceived sound varies considerably depending on each person: buzzing, hissing, ringing, humming, clicking, hissing, squeaking, etc.

Although tinnitus manifests itself in different ways, there are two main categories: objective tinnitus and subjective tinnitus.

Objective tinnitus is relatively rare and corresponds to the noise made by an organ in the human body. In general, an outside person can hear the noise.

Subjective tinnitus, on the other hand, is the most common form of tinnitus. They account for 95% of affected persons. Only people with tinnitus can hear the buzzing or whistling sound.

Tinnitus can come in different forms: it can be chronic, permanent, temporary, etc.

 

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TINNITUS?

Each type of tinnitus can have a variety of causes. However, certain causes are more generally encountered:

• Repeated acoustic trauma: exposure to excessive noise levels, listening to music at high volume, etc...;

• Presbycusis: this occurs mainly in the elderly and results in a reduction in hearing due to the ageing of the ear;

• A dysfunction of the inner ear or the auditory nerve.

Whatever the cause of tinnitus, it is advisable to react quickly by consulting a doctor. Whether it causes temporary and occasional discomfort to the patient, tinnitus can affect his quality of life to the point that he suffers from insomnia, difficulty concentrating, etc. Depression is also widely encountered among tinnitus sufferers. This condition should be treated as soon as possible.

 

THE ROLE OF EARPLUGS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TINNITUS

The use of earplugs is a highly recommended solution for the prevention of tinnitus. By using these hearing protectors, exposure to undesirable external noise levels is limited. It is very effective and certainly for categories of people who are particularly at risk, such as musicians and people working in factories where there are many machines. This is because earplugs prevent sound from reaching the brain, so the brain will not memorise it.

Tinnitus is a sign of the suffering of the auditory nerves and can make life difficult in any form. Therefore, preventive measures must be taken to avoid it. To this end, apart from earplugs, avoid exposing yourself to noises that are too loud for your ears. Also, remember to take part in sports activities on a regular basis. Also, anti-stress activities, such as yoga, can be useful.

Last but not least, have a healthy lifestyle!