Learning About Tinnitus in Children

Tinnitus is the term for a noise in one or both ears not caused by an outside sound. The noise might be a ringing, clicking, hiss, or roar. Children may describe it as "car beeping," "rice crispies," or "angry bees buzzing." The noise can vary in pitch. It may come and go, or it may be ongoing. The noise may be soft or very loud. For some children, this is a minor problem. But for others, the noise can make it hard to hear, concentrate in school, and even sleep.

Tinnitus may improve or go away with time. But it can also get worse.

Your child's tinnitus may be caused by many things, including:

• Various types of hearing loss.
• Damage to the nerve endings in the inner ear.
• Exposure to loud noises.
• Ear and sinus infections.
• High blood pressure.
• A tumor. (This is rare.)
• Diabetes.
• Thyroid problems.
• A head or neck injury.
• Reaction to certain medicines.
• Wax buildup.
• Jaw joint problems.

Your child's doctor will ask about your child's health history and do a physical exam. They may refer your child to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT or otolaryngologist). Your child's hearing may also be checked by a hearing specialist (audiologist).

Depending on the suspected cause of the tinnitus, other tests may be needed. They may include imaging tests such as an MRI or a CT scan.

Sometimes tinnitus is a short-term (temporary) symptom of a physical problem. In those cases, treating the physical problem may end tinnitus. For example, having a doctor remove earwax may stop it.

In most other cases, there is no known cure. Sometimes one of the following may provide relief for your child.

• Hearing aids. These may help some children with tinnitus who have hearing loss. When a child has trouble hearing certain sounds, a hearing aid can help make those sounds louder. This may reduce the tinnitus.
• Cochlear implants. This option is for those who have tinnitus and severe hearing loss.
• Maskers or sound generators. These provide help for some children by making tinnitus less noticeable. This small electronic device creates sound that may make the ringing or roaring seem softer.
• Medicines. Some medicines may ease tinnitus by addressing a problem linked to the condition. Medicines may also improve mood or sleep.
• Tinnitus retraining therapy. This therapy uses a combination of counseling and maskers. An ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT or otolaryngologist) or a hearing specialist (audiologist) can help your child learn how to deal with the tinnitus.
• Relaxation. This may provide relief, since stress can make tinnitus worse.
• Sound therapy. This uses background music or noise set on the lowest level to provide relief from tinnitus. Sound therapy also includes meeting with the audiologist for more education and counseling to help your child's tinnitus.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This involves weekly sessions with a counselor to find thoughts and behaviors that aren't helpful and replace them with healthier ones.

Keeping your child's mind and body healthy can also help with their tinnitus. This may include:

• Managing other health conditions your child may have, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Doing things that can help reduce their stress.
• Avoiding noises that may have caused your child's tinnitus. If your child can't avoid loud noises, have them wear earplugs or earmuffs.
• Playing music or white noise to help your child sleep. Background noise may cover up the noise that they hear in their ears. You can buy a machine that makes soothing sounds, such as ocean waves.