Tinnitus Cause Lies in the Brain, Not the Ears
The cause of tinnitus probably does not lie in the ears themselves, yet it is closely linked to hearing damage. That is why custom earplugs still matter.
Take the next step for your hearing
The best-known ear condition remains tinnitus, where you constantly hear a sound that is not actually there. Yet a growing number of sources show that the cause lies not in the ears, but in the brain. The good news is that our earplugs can still help prevent this condition.
While reduced hearing can be very unpleasant, nothing is quite as distressing as tinnitus. This condition causes you to hear a continuous hiss, ringing or other sound inside your head. It is a little like the ringing many people notice after a concert. The difference, however, is that with tinnitus you really do hear that sound day in and day out. Almost everyone who suffers from it is driven to distraction. In severe cases, people can eventually barely function at all.
The cause of tinnitus
Most cases of tinnitus are the result of exposing yourself to loud music or other noise for too long. That is why it is also common among people who work in construction or behind the bar of a nightclub. Even so, a growing body of research shows that, contrary to what was previously thought, the cause does not lie in the ears.
Instead, the problem appears to be connected to the brain. This organ is constantly making predictions about what is going to happen, including when it comes to sound. When there is hearing damage, however, the prediction no longer matches what the brain actually receives. As a result, the brain tries to compensate for this, sometimes in the form of ringing sounds.
This is, of course, only a very brief explanation. You can read more information here.
Although the cause of tinnitus probably does not lie in the ears themselves, it is nonetheless closely linked to hearing damage. That is why custom earplugs are still the best way to protect yourself against it.
