Audio Life Hearing Center- Knoxville, TN

Woman with hands to her ears in pain wondering when the ringing in her ears will stop.

When you first hear that ringing in your ears you may have a very typical response: pretend everything’s fine. You go through your day the same as usual: you have a chat with friends, go to the store, and cook lunch. All the while, you’re attempting to force that ringing in your ear out of your mind. Because you’re convinced of one thing: your tinnitus will go away on its own.

After a few more days of unremitting buzzing and ringing, though, you begin to have doubts.

This situation happens to other people as well. sometimes tinnitus stop on its own, and at other times it will stick around and that’s the reason why it’s a tricky little disorder.

The Condition of Temporary Tinnitus

Around the world, nearly everybody has had a bout of tinnitus because it’s quite common. Tinnitus is a temporary condition, in most situations, and will ultimately go away on its own. The most prevalent scenario is the rock concert: you go to your local arena to see your favorite band and you discover, when you get back home, that your ears are ringing.

The kind of tinnitus that is linked to temporary damage from loud noise will usually decrease within a couple of days (but you realize that it’s just part of going to a loud show).

Of course, it’s exactly this type of noise injury that, over time, can cause hearing loss to go from temporary (or acute, as they say) to chronic. Too many of those kinds of concerts and you might wind up with permanent tinnitus.

sometimes, Tinnitus Doesn’t Simply Disappear

If your tinnitus doesn’t diminish (with help or on its own) within the span of three months or so, the condition is then classified chronic tinnitus (this does not, by the way, mean that you should wait three months to consult with a specialist about lingering ringing, buzzing, or thumping in your ears).

Something like 5-15% of individuals around the world have documented symptoms of chronic tinnitus. While there are some recognized close associations (like loss of hearing, as an example), the causes of tinnitus aren’t yet really understood.

When the causes of your tinnitus aren’t obvious, it normally means that a fast “cure” will be elusive. There is a good chance that your tinnitus won’t go away by itself if you have been hearing the ringing for more than three months. But if this is your circumstance, you can preserve your quality of life and deal with your symptoms with some treatment possibilities (such as noise canceling devices and cognitive behavioral therapy).

It’s Significant to Know What The Cause of Your Tinnitus is

When you can determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus, dealing with the condition quickly becomes much easier. For instance, if your tinnitus is created by a stubborn, bacterial ear infection, treatment with an antibiotic will tend to solve both problems, resulting in a healthy ear and clear hearing.

Here are some likely causes of acute tinnitus:

  • Loss of hearing (again, this is often associated with chronic tinnitus)
  • Damage to the eardrum (such as a perforated eardrum)
  • Meniere’s disease (this usually has no cure and is often associated with chronic tinnitus)
  • Chronic ear infections
  • A blockage in the ear or ear canal

The Big Question…Will my Tinnitus Ever go Away?

In general, your tinnitus will recede by itself. But it becomes significantly more likely that you’re coping with chronic tinnitus the longer these noises linger.

You think that if you simply disregard it should go away on its own. But at some point, your tinnitus could become uncomfortable and it could become tough to concentrate on anything else. In those situations, wishful thinking may not be the comprehensive treatment plan you require.

The majority of the time tinnitus is simply the body’s reaction to loud noise that could be damaging over time and will subside on its own. Only time will tell if your tinnitus is chronic or acute.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
Why wait? You don't have to live with hearing loss. Call or Text Us