Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that are not caused by sounds coming from the outside world. The problem affects approximately six million people in the UK at present – which is ten per cent of the UK’s population. Tinnitus is common and not usually a sign of anything serious. While tinnitus might be temporary and get better by itself, it can also be permanent. Express.co.uk reveals the five signs your tinnitus is going away, according to experts at tinnitus relief app Oto and the Hearing and Tinnitus Center.
Tinnitus can be described as a condition that causes you to hear a ringing, buzzing, wheezing, hissing, clicking, squealing or ticking sound that ISN’T coming from the outside world.
Tinnitus isn’t actually a stand-alone condition, it’s a symptom of something else such as a build-up of earwax, an ear infection, a side effect of medication, a medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or a perforated eardrum.
The answer to how long your tinnitus may last and whether it’s permanent or temporary lies in the cause of your tinnitus.
Many cases of tinnitus are the result of sudden exposure to very loud noise.
The experts at the Hearing and Tinnitus Centre explained: “Even a short, very loud noise can cause tinnitus, but this will usually go away fairly quickly.
“If the loud noises last longer, perhaps because you are at a concert, then your symptoms could last longer and if you are regularly exposed to loud noises, perhaps at work, your symptoms could even become permanent.”
READ MORE- Acid reflux diet: Six foods and drinks to avoid
Does tinnitus ever go away?
According to the tinnitus treatment app Oto, Tinnitus can fluctuate due to a variety of factors and the goal for those with Tinnitus is to achieve more days when the tinnitus is unnoticeable or barely present.
The site adds: “It can be taxing to worry about whether the tinnitus will ever go away. First, it’s good to distinguish if you have temporary or permanent tinnitus.”
Transient (or temporary) tinnitus is normal and should subside on its own in seconds to minutes – with this, you’ll just notice brief tinnitus that sounds like ringing, chirping, beeping, buzzing or whooshing.
Oto’s experts added: “Temporary tinnitus only lasts seconds to minutes, occurs intermittently, is soft and easy to ignore and does not occur with other symptoms or causes, such as hearing loss or ear fullness.”
DON’T MISS…
The ‘longest’ you should go without showering – expert’s warning [INFORMER]
‘Can breathe’ Shirley Ballas shares health news after weeks of anxiety [INSIGHT]
Tinnitus causes: The 7 reasons you can get tinnitus in one ear [EXPLAINER]
Tinnitus treatment app Oto compares tinnitus to observing clouds in the sky.
The reads: “Sometimes the sky is dark and full of clouds that suggest an impending storm is going to bring thunder, lightning, hail, and a heavy downpour of rain.
“At other times, the sun is shining brightly and there’s not a single cloud in the bright, blue sky.
“Similarly, tinnitus can seem overbearing and as if it is “forecasting” a terrible storm, but at other times it may not be noticeable at all.”
So what are the signs that tinnitus is going away, and what should you look out for?
The five signs your tinnitus is going away
Your tinnitus might be going away if you experience the following:
- It occurs less often and for shorter periods
- It seems softer or less perceivable
- You feel less bothered by it
- You are able to sleep, relax, and concentrate without it interfering
- You have more “good” tinnitus days than “bad” tinnitus days