Many older adults notice ongoing humming, whistling, or ringing sounds that lack an outside origin. These sounds, known as tinnitus, can cause frustration and disorientation for many seniors. While tinnitus is more common with advancing age, not all cases in older adults are simply “age-related,” and recognizing the difference is essential.

You should never simply tolerate tinnitus as a normal part of the aging experience, especially when it impacts your mental health. We are exploring the nuances of tinnitus in seniors to help you identify the cause and discover available paths for relief.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus manifests when a person perceives internal sounds that do not originate from their environment. Commonly, patients report ringing or buzzing, but some people experience hissing, clicking, or whistling. It can be constant or intermittent, affect one or both ears, and range from mildly annoying to highly disruptive.

Research cited by the National Library of Medicine reveals important trends among seniors:

• Approximately twenty percent of seniors have tinnitus.
• Ten percent of those affected find that tinnitus impacts their day-to-day activities.
• The data indicates that individuals with hearing impairment face an increased likelihood of developing tinnitus.

When the noise is intrusive or constant, it can result in mental health challenges such as fatigue and severe anxiety. The good news is that no one has to manage these symptoms without professional help. Before seeking help, it is important to understand whether your tinnitus is a result of aging or other factors.

When Tinnitus Is Age-Related

One of the most common causes of tinnitus in older adults is age-related hearing loss, clinically referred to as presbycusis.

Common characteristics of age-linked tinnitus include:

• Manifests as a steady onset.
• Occurs alongside hearing loss.
• Sounds like sharp whistling or static.
• Is easier to detect when the surroundings are silent.

Non-Age-Related Triggers

While age-related changes play a role, many cases of tinnitus in seniors are linked to other factors, including:

• Past exposure with damaging decibel levels from military service or factory environments.
• The use of pharmaceuticals, including certain antibiotics or specialized treatments.
• Blood flow problems, including hypertension, that affect the ears.
• Earwax impaction, which is more common in advancing age.

The Effect of Untreated Tinnitus

Yet, it is important to realize that chronic tinnitus influences:

• Sleep quality.
• Mental capacity such as memory retention and sustained attention.
• Your emotional stability and your overall level of stress.
• Overall quality of life.

What You Can Do

• The use of hearing aids, which can mask the ringing by improving environmental sounds.
• Employing sound machines or ambient sound to help cover the internal noises.
• Working with a doctor to adjust prescriptions that may be causing the noise.
• Adopting new habits that focus on stress reduction and better sleeping patterns.

Get in touch with our medical staff immediately to arrange your comprehensive evaluation. We’re ready to help.