Protect your ears from tinnitus and hyperacusis

Do you know enough about tinnitus and hyperacusis? Protect your ears with the following tips.

• The term "tinnitus" comes from a Latin word meaning "ringing."
• While the condition is frequently described as a ringing in the head, some people perceive a sound more like a high-pitched whine; others hear a hiss, a buzz, a hum or a loud whistle like that from an old-fashioned whistling kettle.
• Or you might hear a roaring, like waves on a pebbly shore, or perhaps a clicking sound.

How do you get it?

• Almost any ear condition can cause tinnitus. If you experience such noises occasionally and for just a minute or two, don't panic — noises in the ear can arise if you are stressed or tired. But if you get persistent tinnitus, either on its own or with hearing loss, then seek medical help fast.
• The noise may be high or low-pitched, constant or coming in waves or pulses, and may occur in one or both ears, or be experienced as a noise in your head.
• Tinnitus can be an important clue to ear disease and possible hearing damage, such as from noise or drugs.
• It sometimes occurs in association with general health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, anemia or an under-active thyroid.
• Tinnitus can cause difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbance, forgetfulness, frustration and sometimes depression. Fortunately, there's plenty you can do to improve matters.

• Extreme sensitivity to sound, known as hyperacusis, can make everyday activities very difficult for some, especially in our noise-filled world.
• Sometimes experienced separately from other disorders, the condition more often develops along with hearing loss, and is usually accompanied by tinnitus — around 40 per cent of people with tinnitus also have hyperacusis.
• It can result in earaches and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears.

How do you get it?

• The cause of hyperacusis is unknown. It may be a reaction to a medication or follow exposure to a sudden very loud noise, a head injury, surgery or infections.
• It can also occur with migraine headaches or epilepsy. High-frequency sounds are most often involved — a baby crying or the squealing of brakes can be almost unbearable.
• But sometimes everyday sounds — running water from a tap or the rustle as newspaper pages are turned — may be experienced as excruciatingly loud.
• And of course, if people raise their voices to try to overcome any associated hearing loss, the effect is even worse.