What is tinnitus? understanding the ringing in your ears
- pearldcosta
- May 27
- 3 min read
What is tinnitus?
Have you ever experienced a constant ringing in your ears when there’s no actual sound around you? That sensation is known as tinnitus—a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including many here in Dubai.
Tinnitus is not a disease in itself but a symptom of an underlying issue. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, hissing, or even clicking. For some, it’s a minor annoyance; for others, it disrupts sleep, focus, and quality of life.
Tinnitus Symptoms
Tinnitus is highly individual. You may experience:
A ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in one or both ears
Intermittent or constant noises
Sound that varies in pitch or intensity
Trouble sleeping or concentrating
Emotional distress or anxiety
Sensitivity to sounds, even if they are not very loud
These tinnitus symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually and may worsen in quiet environments.
Common causes of Tinnitus
Understanding the causes of tinnitus is key to finding the right treatment. Some of the most common include:
Exposure to loud noise (concerts, headphones, construction)
Hearing loss
Earwax blockage
Ear infections or injuries
Medications (such as certain antibiotics or painkillers)
Stress and anxiety
Medical conditions like Meniere’s disease, Labyrinthitis etc.
At Transcend Audiology in Dubai, we often see tinnitus linked with untreated hearing loss, which can be addressed with hearing aids or other therapies.
Is tinnitus permanent?
Tinnitus can be temporary or chronic depending on the underlying cause. For some, it disappears on its own. For others, it may persist for years without treatment. That’s why it's important to see an audiologist as soon as you notice any symptoms.
How is Tinnitus treated?
1. Hearing Aids
If you have tinnitus along with hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first and most effective treatment.
✅ Evidence: A 2019 systematic review in JAMA Otolaryngology found that hearing aids significantly reduce tinnitus annoyance in patients with hearing loss by amplifying background sounds and reducing the contrast between silence and tinnitus.
Source: Sereda M, et al. Hearing Aids for Patients With Tinnitus and Co-Existing Hearing Loss. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019.
2. Sound Therapy
Sound therapy uses external noises (like white noise or nature sounds) to mask tinnitus or retrain the brain to ignore it.
✅ Evidence: A 2020 study in Frontiers in Neuroscience showed that broadband noise and personalized sound therapy both helped reduce tinnitus severity and annoyance over 3–6 months.
Source: Searchfield GD, et al. (2020). Sound Therapy: Acoustic Therapy in the Management of Tinnitus. Front Neurosci.
3. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
TRT combines sound therapy with psychological counseling to desensitize the brain’s response to tinnitus.
✅ Evidence: A randomized controlled trial published in The Hearing Journal (2018) showed that patients receiving TRT experienced a significant reduction in perceived tinnitus loudness and distress compared to those with standard treatment.
Source: Jastreboff PJ, Jastreboff MM. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): Clinical and Research Perspectives. The Hearing Journal.
4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT doesn’t reduce the sound of tinnitus but helps patients change their emotional reaction to it—reducing anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
✅ Evidence: A 2017 Cochrane review concluded that CBT is the most effective psychological treatment for tinnitus distress. It improves quality of life and coping ability.
Source: Fuller TE, et al. Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017.
5. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have shown promise in managing tinnitus-related distress.
✅ Evidence: A study published in Ear and Hearing (2019) reported that mindfulness training significantly reduced tinnitus severity, particularly in those with high stress or anxiety.
Source: Arif M, et al. Mindfulness Meditation for the Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus. Ear Hear. 2019.
6. Treating Underlying Medical Conditions
In some cases, managing high blood pressure, jaw joint issues (TMJ), or earwax buildup can directly improve tinnitus symptoms.
✅ Clinical Insight: These are evaluated during a full audiological and medical exam at our clinic.
Most patients at our clinic- Transcend Audiology Dubai reported reduced or manageable tinnitus when tinnitus was accompanied by hearing loss and treated with hearing aids.
When to see a healthcare professional for tinnitus?
You should consult an Ear, Nose Throat physician or an audiologist if:
Your tinnitus is persistent or worsening
It interferes with your daily life or sleep
It's accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, or ear pain
You’re concerned and need expert advice
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