Are You at Risk for Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is something that affects many people, regardless of age or occupation. Whilst you may be affected by a ringing (or another noise, such as whistling) in the ear throughout the duration of your life, there are many people who are affected by tinnitus for short periods at a time, and it can come and go.

Whatever age group you’re in, there are some people who are more at risk of tinnitus than others, and we’ve noted down the most significant risk factors that there are.

Hearing problems

Tinnitus is closely linked to other hearing problems, and it’s common to get a hearing aid that treats hearing loss, and provides white noise to cover up the ringing in your ears. If you suffer from hearing problems, you may be more at risk of getting tinnitus symptoms.

Listening to loud music

Exposure to loud music on a regular basis is another thing that causes tinnitus, and this is something that particularly affects those who play in bands, DJs, and other people who work in this kind of environment (those who work in bars, for example).

If you don’t protect your ears whilst you’re in these types of environments, you could find that you’re suffering from tinnitus, so use ear defenders, and contact a hearing health professional if you’re worried that this may have affected you.

On top of this, those who listen to loud music through headphones or earphones are likely to suffer from tinnitus at some point, so keep the volume down if you want to protect your ears from any potential damage.

Certain occupations

Tinnitus has been closely linked to certain jobs, and many factory workers find that they suffer from it after working without ear defenders. Whatever type of workplace you’re in, if there is a risk to your hearing from your job, your employer should provide you with some form of protection.

This doesn’t only apply to factory workers, and it can affect those on building sites, people who deal with weaponry, and even gardeners in some cases. If you’re not quite sure whether your job can affect your hearing (and your health) then speak to a hearing health professional for advice.

Underlying medical issues

Whilst tinnitus can be caused by environmental factors, it may also be a sign of a medical problem that runs a little deeper. The most likely medical problems are those associated with the head and neck, although it could be something else, so speak to a hearing specialist if you’re worried about this.

The truth is that the underlying issue may only be something like an ear infection, which will pass over time, but it’s worthwhile getting these things checked out to make sure that there isn’t something more serious at bay.

Speak to a hearing specialist

If you think that you may be at risk for tinnitus, think about whether any of these factors affect you, and whether you can take steps to avoid the impact of them. If you’re still not sure about these things, or you’re worried about your hearing, then going to see a hearing specialist is a good idea.