The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog

Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails fame, suffers from tinnitus. The popular musician/songwriter has written about the affliction in a number of lyrics including “Something I Can Never Have” and “The Becoming.” Reznor is not alone. Dozens of famous people from the past and present had or have the condition. An estimated 24 million people in the United States of all ages report having experience with the problem.

Tinnitus Symptoms

Like Trent Reznor tinnitus sufferers may experience ringing in the ears. However, the array of annoying sounds heard vary and might also include buzzing, clicking, hissing or roaring. Individuals complain of the affliction in one or both ears. The sounds may occur intermittently and last only a few minutes. Conversely, the noise may be continual. The abnormal sounds generally indicate that something has gone awry somewhere within the auditory system.

In addition to the annoying sound, the condition may also produce stress, anxiety or depression. In some instances, people experiencing the problem complain that the noise interferes with the ability to concentrate or sleep.

Tinnitus Causes

The sound heard may originate anywhere in the pathway from the outer ear to the brain. Conditions causing blockages, increased fluid levels or muscle spasms alter the pressure in one or both Eustachian tubes, which can lead to abnormal noises or impaired hearing. Damage to the vestibulocochlear nerve may also contribute to the condition.

Tinnitus onset may occur from something as harmless as accumulations of ear wax. However, ear wax blockages and infections usually also cause hearing loss and may produce varying degrees of discomfort. Autoimmune disorders, brain tumors, head injuries, Meniere’s disease, thyroid abnormalities and TMJ are some of the medical conditions that can produce the noise. The side effects of certain medications include tinnitus. In the case of elderly people, tinnitus is commonly the first indication of gradual hearing loss. Increased arterial or venous blood flow creates a throbbing noise or sensation known as pulsatile tinnitus.

The most common cause of Trent Reznor tinnitus like instances involves chronic exposure to loud noise. Construction workers, musicians or anyone employed in an environment that produces a daily influx of loud noises may eventually develop the affliction. In the case of noise pollution, the irreparable damage occurs in the cochlea, which lies deep within the inner ear.

Tinnitus Relief

A hearing test and a physical examination often lead to a probable cause. Treatment largely depends on the underlying condition. While antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents remedy infections, relief from Trent Reznor tinnitus may require antidepressants, masking or nerve retraining therapy.