Is there any way to determine the etiology of occasional tinnitus, i.e. - tinnitus that occurs spontaneously, only lasts a short time, comes and goes and shows no pattern? Even if the patient has hearing loss, is occasional tinnitus just a normal occurrence that normal hearing people experience or must it be connected to the hearing loss, noise exposure, medication, etc?
Answer
Rapidly appearing intense but short lived tinnitus is often associated with small muscle spasms located in the middle ear space. These very tiny muscles contract and tighten the eardrum area, causing a characteristic and noticeable 'loss of hearing' just prior to the onset of fairly loud high pitched tinnitus, which gradually fades over a few seconds or at most a minute or two. These little episodes are very common and are associated with jaw or neck tension, caffeine, or sometimes head position, although they certainly can show up spontaneously without obvious cause.
Sometimes people with tinnitus worry that these short term episodes may be signs of further damage or deterioration of the auditory system, but they are actually harmless little benign events similar to a temporary twitch in a toe or finger muscle. Almost everyone experiences these transient tinnitus events and there is no clinical evidence that connects them with other more serious cases of tinnitus or hearing loss.
Marsha A. Johnson, AuD, is the Clinical Director of the Oregon Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Treatment Clinic, founded in 1997, in Portland, Oregon. Visit the clinic website at www.tinnitus-audiology.com. Dr. Johnson's practice is limited to tinnitus and hyperacusis.
Marsha A. Johnson, AuD
Related Courses
1https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/tinnitus-activities-treatment-33539Tinnitus Activities TreatmentThe course will provide clinicians with a framework for evaluating and treating tinnitus patients, including counseling for Thoughts and Emotions, Hearing, Sleep and Concentration difficulties. It will include the application of hearing aids, and wearable and non-wearable sound therapy devices.auditory, textual, visual
The course will provide clinicians with a framework for evaluating and treating tinnitus patients, including counseling for Thoughts and Emotions, Hearing, Sleep and Concentration difficulties. It will include the application of hearing aids, and wearable and non-wearable sound therapy devices.
2https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/teenagers-with-tinnitus-38668Teenagers with TinnitusThis course describes the prevalence of tinnitus in teenagers from all causes, and discusses the primary complaints associated with bothersome tinnitus. Specific interventions the audiologist can provide are described in detail.auditory, textual, visual
This course describes the prevalence of tinnitus in teenagers from all causes, and discusses the primary complaints associated with bothersome tinnitus. Specific interventions the audiologist can provide are described in detail.
3https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/hyperacusis-misophobia-35597Hyperacusis and My MisophobiaHyperacusis comes in many different forms (loudness, avoidance, fear and pain) and patients need our help. There are effective counseling, sound therapy and hearing aid approaches that many find helpful.auditory, textual, visual
Hyperacusis comes in many different forms (loudness, avoidance, fear and pain) and patients need our help. There are effective counseling, sound therapy and hearing aid approaches that many find helpful.
4https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/clinical-assessment-hyperacusis-in-children-35599Clinical Assessment of Hyperacusis in Children and AdultsMeasuring hyperacusis in children is an important skill for the audiologist. Using an adapted Loudness Discomfort Level (LDL) assessment protocol provides valuable information and treatment progress data points. Hyperacusis is an unusual condition that can be present in pediatric populations and deserves attention and professional assessment.auditory, textual, visual
Measuring hyperacusis in children is an important skill for the audiologist. Using an adapted Loudness Discomfort Level (LDL) assessment protocol provides valuable information and treatment progress data points. Hyperacusis is an unusual condition that can be present in pediatric populations and deserves attention and professional assessment.
5https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/modern-technologies-for-management-tinnitus-38415Modern Technologies for the Management of Tinnitus: The Colorado Model of CareTinnitus is a leading chronic condition from which millions of Americans suffer. Patients with annoying or debilitating tinnitus often seek the help of hearing care professionals. This podcast provides evidence-based, real world insights from the University of Colorado Medical School’s Audiology Department and how to more effectively manage patients with tinnitus through counseling and the provision of various modern technologies.auditory
Tinnitus is a leading chronic condition from which millions of Americans suffer. Patients with annoying or debilitating tinnitus often seek the help of hearing care professionals. This podcast provides evidence-based, real world insights from the University of Colorado Medical School’s Audiology Department and how to more effectively manage patients with tinnitus through counseling and the provision of various modern technologies.
