Who is at Risk for Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is more common than you think. According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), over 50 million Americans experience some form of Tinnitus. That is about 15% of the population. Today let’s learn more about the condition and who is at risk for Tinnitus.

What is Tinnitus?

Often referred to as “ringing in the ears”, people with Tinnitus hear sounds even when there is no external noise. This can be ringing, swooshing and even hissing. Tinnitus can be temporary or chronic and is actually a symptom of another problem in the auditory system.

Who is at risk for Tinnitus?

Tinnitus presents itself more frequently for these population groups according to the ATA:

• Men – men typically suffer from Tinnitus more than women. This could be due to a history of men tending to hold more of the jobs in noisy professions such as manufacturing and construction
• People in their 60s- People between the ages of 60 and 69 have shown higher incidence of Tinnitus. This could be because this is a time in life when it is common for hearing health problems to accelerate
• Military personnel and veterans – our troops are exposed to all kinds of loud noises which puts them more at risk for noise-induced hearing loss and Tinnitus
• Musicians – news articles continue to pop up each year about yet another professional musician who suffers from Tinnitus. The repeated and long-term exposure to loud music puts this group’s hearing health at risk
• Employees in noisy professions – as mentioned above professions such as manufacturing, construction and transportation create opportunities for repeated exposure to loud noises which can damage the hearing overtime

Hearing loss and noise-exposure are two of the main triggers of Tinnitus, and as you can see from above, there are certain populations where noise especially puts them at a higher risk for the condition.

There is no cure for Tinnitus, but there are treatment options to help manage the condition. Learn more about the Tinnitus Treatment options offered by Clifton Springs Hearing Center.