Tinnitus Series - Session 1

Tinnitus - a condition that’s surprisingly common in New Zealand. In fact, studies show that around 1 in 3 Kiwis experience some form of tinnitus, ranging from mild background noise to sounds so loud they can feel overwhelming. We're now starting a series of posts to explore tinnitus in more depth — from understanding what it is, to the causes behind it, and the latest strategies to manage it effectively.

So, what exactly is tinnitus? It's the perception of sound in your ears or head when there’s no external source. It can take many forms — ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, roaring, or even a pulsing sound in time with your heartbeat (known as pulsatile tinnitus). The experience is different for everyone, which is why understanding the nature of tinnitus is an important first step in learning how to manage it. Many people find it most noticeable in quiet environments or at night, when there’s less background noise to distract from it.

Tinnitus is generally divided into two main types:

Subjective Tinnitus

This is the most common form of tinnitus. Only the person experiencing it can hear the sound — there’s no external source, and no one else can hear it. It can be caused by changes in the hearing system, the auditory nerve, or how the brain interprets sound.

Objective Tinnitus

This is rare and is sometimes called pulsatile tinnitus. In this case, the sound may actually come from inside the body. Pulsatile tinnitus is often rhythmic, like a heartbeat or whooshing sound, and is usually caused by:

- Blood flow changes near the ear

- Vascular abnormalities

- High blood pressure or narrowed arteries

Because objective tinnitus often has a physical or medical cause, it may require further investigation and referral to a specialist.

Common Causes of Tinnitus

Most cases of subjective tinnitus fall into three main categories:

Cochlear-Related (Inner Ear Hearing Loss)

Often due to age-related wear and tear or long-term noise exposure, damage to the inner ear's hair cells reduces the sound signals reaching the brain. As a result, the brain may "fill in the gaps" by creating phantom sounds — perceived as tinnitus.

Somatic Sensory-Related (Jaw or Neck Issues)

Tinnitus can be linked to musculoskeletal problems, especially TMJ dysfunction (jaw joint issues) or neck tension and cervical spine problems. These may cause or worsen tinnitus, particularly if the sound changes when moving your head, jaw, or neck.

Central Nervous System Factors (Stress and Sleep)

Stress, anxiety, and poor sleep do not necessarily cause tinnitus, but they can make it feel more intense. When the brain is in a heightened state of alertness, it becomes more sensitive to internal noises like tinnitus.

The most common causes we come across are either related to the cochlea or influenced by the central nervous system — and often, it's a combination of both. In our upcoming posts, we’ll dive into how tinnitus can impact daily life and start exploring practical strategies you can use at home to help manage it. Stay tuned!