Buzzing in the Ears: Affects 1 in 10 Greeks

Tinnitus is a condition in which the sufferer perceives a noise that sounds like a ringing, hissing or buzzing – but is not present in the environment. The noise of tinnitus can be quiet or loud, continuous or intermittent throughout the day and can range from annoying to seriously affecting the sufferer’s daily life.

It is a common condition. Millions of people experience tinnitus every day and it is estimated that about 1 in 10 Greeks and 1 in 7 in the European Union – about 65 million – suffer from it. This number is expected to increase significantly as the population ages. In Greece, according to a study published in the medical journal “The Lancet Regional Health-Europe”, carried out on people aged 18-64 years, 16.1% appear to have occasional tinnitus, of which 6% are annoying and 1.9% are severe. Slightly higher is the proportion of women experiencing tinnitus at 15.2% with men very close to 14%. It was also found that the incidence of tinnitus increases significantly with age and hearing difficulties in old age. Our country also has the lowest percentage of people in the European Union (4.1%) who consult a doctor for this problem.

Tinnitus has been linked to hearing loss caused by noise or injury or other pathological causes and hearing aids often help to relieve symptoms. Hearing aids with a special tinnitus masker function help to mask tinnitus while the user is wearing them. Some white noise generating devices through hearing aids or speakers may also be helpful. The principle of operation is that the white noise they produce masks the sound of tinnitus noises and can help to make tinnitus less noticeable.

People who experience tinnitus very often find that their tinnitus is amplified when they are exposed to loud noises for a long time or when they experience situations of intense stress and anxiety and when they are very tired. They are most noticeable when they are in quiet, e.g. when they go to sleep, as there are no other noises in the environment and as a result they concentrate on the noise of their tinnitus.

So far, no pharmaceutical or other definitive cure for tinnitus has been found, although there are drugs and preparations to manage the problem. Hearing aids with a special function for tinnitus help significantly in managing the symptoms for as long as they are worn. It is also imperative to protect hearing with earplugs to prevent tinnitus from worsening due to exposure to noise. Finally, peace of mind is perhaps the greatest requirement in the treatment of tinnitus.