Did I Inherit my Tinnitus?

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

Are you going crazy with that tinnitus in your ears? Find out what causes tinnitus and whether you might have inherited it.

Tinnitus, what exactly is it?

A ringing, buzzing, or droning in the ears with no outside cause of the sound is a condition known as tinnitus. 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 numerous frustrating ways. It isn’t a disease in and of itself, but it’s a symptom of other conditions or circumstances in your life like hearing loss or damage. You may hear tinnitus in one ear or both ears and it can hinder your ability to concentrate.

Regardless of the way in which you’re experiencing tinnitus, it’s always bothersome. impact your sleep and even cause anxiety and depression.

What are the causes of tinnitus?

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

Here are several situations that typically go along with tinnitus:

  • Inner ear cell damage and irritation of the sensitive hairs used to conduct sound, causing arbitrary transmissions of sound to your brain
  • Hearing loss related to aging
  • Sustained exposure to loud noise
  • Several medications
  • A benign tumor, called acoustic neuroma, grows on cranial nerve
  • Injuries that affect nerves of the ear
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Excessive earwax accumulation
  • Changes in the composition of the ear bone
  • Inner ear infections
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Head or neck injuries
  • Bruxism, more commonly referred to as teeth grinding caused by temporomandibular joint issues, or TMJ disorder

Could I have inherited this tinnitus from my parents?

Generally, tinnitus isn’t an inherited condition. But the symptoms can be influenced by your genes. For instance, ear bone changes that can result in tinnitus can be passed down. Irregular bone growth can trigger these changes and can be handed down through genes. Here are some other conditions you may have inherited that can result in tinnitus:

  • Certain diseases
  • Being prone to inner ear infections or wax build-up
  • Being predisposed to depression or anxiety

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

If you have a history of tinnitus in your family, it’s truly in your best interest to schedule an appointment with us so we can assess your hearing.

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.