What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (TIN-nuh-tus), otherwise known as a “ringing of the ear,” is a condition in which you experience sounds without an external stimulus. With hearing, our ears pick up sounds from our environment which are then processed and recognized by the brain. Tinnitus, on the other hand, is a sound that comes from within.

The sounds of tinnitus vary from person to person. Tinnitus sounds are commonly described as ringing, buzzing, whistling, roaring, clicking, a rush of air, and even in rare cases, music. Chronic tinnitus lasts days, months, or years, while temporary tinnitus may last just a few seconds. To learn more about tinnitus visit us in Lakewood, CO.

Prevalence of Tinnitus

The majority of people have experienced at least one bout of tinnitus – even if it lasts just a few seconds. An estimated 30 million Americans experience tinnitus, with some 13 million experiencing tinnitus without hearing loss. The US Centers for Disease Control estimate that “roughly 20 million people struggle with burdensome chronic tinnitus, while 2 million have extreme and debilitating cases.” Approximately 40% of people with tinnitus report that they experience it 80% of their day. One in four people with tinnitus report their tinnitus as loud.

Tinnitus may occur to anyone, at any age; statistics show that 27% of people age 65-84 experience some form of tinnitus. Additionally, 60% of veterans returning from combat zones report tinnitus, along with hearing loss. The US Centers for Disease Control reports that nearly 15% of the general public have experienced some form of tinnitus.