Are Younger People Getting Tinnitus?

Children holding bowling balls; younger people getting tinnitus concept

There is some evidence that suggests that tinnitus is becoming more prevalent among younger people.

Generally, the 15% of the world population with tinnitus is usually between the ages of 40 and 80, although the most affected are in their 60s.

However, there has also been an increase in the number of young people reporting tinnitus symptoms. For example, "data from the 2012 to 2013 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) show that 43% of Canadians aged 16 to 79 (11.5 million) had experienced tinnitus during their lifetime and that 35% had experienced the condition within the past year."

The really staggering bit about ages is this: "Younger individuals aged 19 to 29 years were more likely than individuals in the older age groups to have experienced tinnitus in the past year." The good thing is that they say they're not bothered by it.

The bottom line? Nearly 60% of college kids says they have some form of tinnitus (chronic, acute, or moderate).

The ages at which tinnitus is most common in younger people are not well-defined, but it appears that it's becoming more common in high school and college-aged individuals. The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but it may be due to exposure to loud noises from listening to music through earbuds or attending concerts and sporting events.

Ear infections in children may also play a role in the development of tinnitus. Infections that cause damage to the inner ear can lead to tinnitus, especially if they are not treated promptly. It's not clear how significant a role ear infections play in the development of tinnitus in younger people.

In addition to rock concerts, other loud school-related events are being examined, such as band classes and marching bands. Football games can also be a significant source of loud noise. Again, it's simply not clear whether these activities are contributing significantly to the development of tinnitus in younger people.

Still, it probably doesn't hurt to wear earplugs when taking part in some activities, like bowling, going to the movies, when vacuuming or mowing the lawn and using a leaf blower. Certainly very loud events, such as motorsports and car races, shooting competitions, music festivals and marching bands, are all significant sources of noise exposure and you can try wearing earplugs to lessen your tinnitus risk.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Try Eargasm Earplus

Comments

Can Allergies Cause Tinnitus?

The short answer is: Yes, allergies can cause tinnitus. Hearing loss, too. Allergy-related tinnitus is typically due to the congestion that allergies cause. Anything from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) to sinus infections increases the risk of developing tinnitus. Basically anything that affects the nasal and sinus passages can lead to tinnitus. That's because when allergies affect the nasal passages and sinuses, they can cause inflammation and swelling, leading to congestion and pressure changes in the ear. This pressure change can lead to tinnitus. Allergy meds can be a problem too Tinnitus can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat allergies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. These medications can potentially cause tinnitus as a side effect, especially when taken in high doses. Other causes of tinnitus In addition to allergies, there are several other causes of tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus can be a symptom of an underl

Medications Can Worsen Tinnitus Symptoms

Some common medications can actually heighten the ringing and whistling noises in your head and ears. Tinnitus sufferers have found this out to their dismay, and warn others to be wary of large dosages (in excess of 600 mg) of Ibuprofen, for instance, and even to be careful when taking aspirin. In fact, there are people who insist that certain medications don't just make the condition worse, but can actually cause tinnitus. If you have tinnitus and are also taking antibiotics or other medications (even over-the-counter meds) for any medical condition -- running the gamut from arthritis to clinical depression (Prozac's frequently cited) -- let your doctor know. You should also monitor yourself with a daily record of medicines taken and tinnitus levels. You might be surprised to learn that some items known to worsen tinnitus include toothpastes (especially for sensitive gums), antacid tablets, Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate and Pepcid. Click here for a comprehensive list o

Try Saline When Your Hearing Is Muffled After Loud Noise Exposure

If you've got temporary hearing loss or tinnitus after being at a loud concert or sports event, you may be able to fix it -- if you act fast. A 2021 Keck Medicine of USC study published in Science Daily has found that the nerve damage to the inner ear caused by loud noises is basically a build up of fluids. Treating that "fluid buildup with a readily available saline solution lessened nerve damage in the inner ear." A previous study by the same otolaryngologist showed that inner ear fluid level is not affected until noises reach 100 decibels, which is how loud a motorcycle is. "When researchers applied hypertonic saline, a salt-based solution used to treat nasal congestions in humans, into affected ears one hour after the noise exposure, both the immediate fluid buildup and the long-term nerve damage lessened, implying that the hearing loss could be at least partially prevented." The benefits of this knowledge are twofold: 1. If fluid buildup can be measured,

Tinnitus Help - Stop the Ringing in Your Ears

Search This Blog