Hearing Health Blog

Woman grimacing with hand on the left side of her head suffering from tinnitus

Are you experiencing ringing in your ears that’s driving you crazy? Learn whether your tinnitus is inherited or what the cause may be.

Tinnitus, what exactly is it?

Tinnitus is the term describing a person’s perception of a ringing, droning, or buzzing in the ear with no external noises present to explain this sensation. The direct translation of the word tinnitus is”ringing like a bell”.”

How will my day-to-day living be impacted by tinnitus?

Tinnitus can interrupt personal connections in several aggravating ways. It’s not a disease in and of itself, but it’s a symptom of other conditions or conditions in your life such as hearing loss or damage. Your ability to stay focused can be seriously disrupted when you begin to hear tinnitus in one or both ears.

Tinnitus is always troublesome regardless of how it’s manifesting. influence your sleep and even trigger anxiety and depression.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be enduring or it can come and go. Sustained exposure to loud sound, like a rock concert, is typically the cause of short-term tinnitus. Tinnitus has been documented to manifest with a few different medical issues.

Here are a few situations that typically accompany tinnitus:

  • Age-related hearing impairment
  • Different medications
  • Bruxism, generally known as teeth grinding stemming from temporomandibular joint issues, or TMJ disorder
  • A benign tumor, called acoustic neuroma, forms on cranial nerve
  • Buildup of excessive earwax
  • Changes in the composition of the ear bone
  • Trauma to the neck or head
  • Infection of the inner ear
  • Inner ear cell damage and irritation of the fragile hairs used to conduct sound, causing random transmissions of sound to your brain
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Exposure to loud noise for prolonged time periods
  • Injuries that affect nerves of the ear
  • Depression or anxiety

Could I have inherited this ringing in my ears from my parents?

Generally, tinnitus isn’t an inherited condition. However, your genes can play a role in this symptom. For example, ear bone changes that can result in tinnitus can be passed down. Abnormal bone growth can cause these changes and can be handed down through genes. A few of the other conditions that can lead to ringing in the ear may be inherited from your parents, including:

  • Specific diseases
  • Being prone to inner ear infections or wax build-up
  • Predisposition to anxiety or depression

The ringing in your ear is not directly inheritable, but you may have been genetically predisposed to the disorders that are breeding grounds for tinnitus.

If your family has a history of tinnitus, you should certainly come in for an assessment.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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