Experts from Pennsylvania State University explained that tinnitus is in many cases one of the early indicators of hearing loss, as it may appear before a person notices any obvious decline in their ability to hear.
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13% of adults suffer from hearing difficulties, while the percentage rises to 27% among people over the age of 65, while about 10% of adults suffer from tinnitus.
Tinnitus is linked to damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, which are responsible for converting sound waves into nerve signals that reach the brain. When these cells malfunction, the brain may begin producing phantom sounds such as ringing or buzzing to compensate for the absence of normal auditory signals.
Audiologist Jackie Price warned that exposure to loud sounds exceeding 85 decibels can increase the risk of hearing damage, as occurs at noisy parties, construction sites, or when using certain equipment, noting that listening to loud music through headphones while exposed to noise doubles the risk.
Although there is no definitive cure for tinnitus yet, some treatments such as tinnitus retraining, which relies on counseling and sound therapy, may help reduce its impact on the senses of those affected.
Doctors recommend regular hearing tests even in the absence of obvious symptoms, as they can help detect early changes and preserve hearing for a longer period.
