Types Of Tinnitus Affecting Hearing Loss.
Research suggesting that the severity of a tinnitus condition is related to the level of noise-induced hearing loss has been found in past studies, which detected a significant hearing loss of the high frequencies in over 80 per cent of chronic tinnitus sufferers.
The Royal National Institute of the Deaf (RNID) estimate “Seven million people in the UK have experienced tinnitus at one time or another” with nearly 40 per cent claiming to have heard whistling sounds. The most common cause is exposure to excessive noise levels – most likely in the workplace – and the likelihood that hearing damage has also been caused to the microscopic endings of the hair cells in the inner ears.
Incredibly, it is still believed that a temporary hearing loss experienced from an episode of tinnitus, exposure to loud music or excessive noise at work may not have longer term harmful effects. Yet nearly 10 per cent of tinnitus sufferers say their daily lives are affected, with symptoms so pronounced in nearly 1 per cent of individuals that they are unable to lead a normal life.
It is vital to distinguish between the longevity of three important levels of tinnitus – acute, subacute and chronic.
Acute Tinnitus can remain for up to three months.
Subacute Tinnitus generally lasts between four and six months.
Chronic Tinnitus is known to continue beyond six months.
Two distinct types of tinnitus are also vital to assessment – Compensated Tinnitus and Decompensated Tinnitus.
Compensated Tinnitus: The most common form of the condition in which sounds are heard but an individual’s quality of life is not significantly altered with little or no psychological affect.
Decompensated Tinnitus: The most severe and uncontrollable form of tinnitus where sounds are caused by the brain creating “interference” by using other sounds to try and cancel out those originating in the inner ear. “Interference” which is constantly activated and becomes excessive because of stress can continue even when the original cause in the ear ceases to exist. Known as “centralised tinnitus“, this type of condition is experienced in the same way as a “phantom” pain can be “felt” by an amputee.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for tinnitus and any condition between the two extremes of “acute, compensated” and “chronic, decompensated” can have a severe impact upon quality of life. Yet studies continue to find that many individuals will not seek hearing loss advice for tinnitus or suspected hearing impairment for up to 10 years due to an irrational fear of social stigma.