The different types of tinnitus

Objective Tinnitus

Objective tinnitus occurs very rarely. It is a sound in the ear that comes from a sound source that actually exists.

With this type of tinnitus, these can be, for example, flow sounds of a constricted or malformed blood vessel, haemangiomas, functional disorders of the ear trumpets (tubes) or the soft palate as well as tumours in the middle ear.

Often the examining doctor can also hear the sounds of objective tinnitus from the outside, for example the blood flow through narrowed arteries near the ear, which sound like a pulsating hissing or hissing sound.

In a venous congestion, instead of a pulsating noise, a rising and falling hiss can be heard. If objective tinnitus is present, treatment by a doctor aims to eliminate the source of the sound.

Subjective Tinnitus

If no real sound source can be identified in the body, this is called subjective tinnitus. More than 99 percent of tinnitus patients suffer from this type of tinnitus, which does not develop in the ear itself or in its immediate surroundings, but is caused by pathological activity of nerve cells in the brain.

Similar to phantom pain, there is no real cause that can be easily eliminated.

The brain has a decisive influence on the perception of subjective tinnitus. It is able to amplify or block out auditory impressions.

This ability of the brain is used for treatment of subjective tinnitus. For example, in Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), the brain learns to filter out or ignore the noise in the ear.

Sophisticated treatment strategies with relaxation methods and behavioural therapy as well as so-called tinnitus noisers, which distract from the ringing in the ears, can alleviate the symptoms.

Other types of tinnitus: acute, subacute and chronic

In addition, there is a further differentiation scheme that relates to the duration of tinnitus: If the symptoms last up to three months, it is called acute tinnitus. A subacute tinnitus lasts for three to six months. A chronic tinnitus is defined as a tinnitus lasting more than six months.

Tinnitus can be perceived by those affected as hardly noticeable and still bearable. A stressful tinnitus, on the other hand, often causes a high level of suffering and restricts the quality of life. Besides the appropriate therapy, hearing and tinnitus training can also provide relief. A hearing specialist can advise on this, the diagnosis and possible prescription is made by the specialist.