Probability of Experiencing Tinnitus

Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears) affects approximately 50 million Americans (about 15% of the population) to some degree. About 20 million have burdensome chronic tinnitus, and roughly 2 million have severe, debilitating tinnitus that significantly impacts their quality of life.

The most common cause is noise-induced hearing loss, which damages the hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea). Other causes include age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, middle ear infections, Meniere's disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, head or neck injuries, ototoxic medications (certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, high-dose aspirin), and acoustic neuroma. Tinnitus is the number one disability among military veterans, affecting about 2.3 million veterans.

There is no cure for most forms of tinnitus, but management strategies can significantly reduce its impact. Sound therapy (white noise, nature sounds, hearing aids with masking features) is the most common treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for tinnitus is the best-supported psychological treatment, helping patients change their reaction to tinnitus. Promising research areas include FDA breakthrough device designations for electrical stimulation devices and drug therapies targeting nerve damage.