You could have a typical reaction when you first hear that ringing in your ears: pretend that it’s no big deal. You set about your normal routines: you have a chat with friends, go to the store, and cook lunch. While at the same time you try your best to ignore that ringing. Because you feel sure of one fact: your tinnitus will fade away by itself.
After several more days of unremitting ringing and buzzing, though, you start to have doubts.
This situation happens to others as well. Tinnitus can be a challenging little affliction, at times it will go away on its own and sometimes, it will stay for a long time to come.
When Tinnitus is Likely to Subside by Itself
Tinnitus is very common everywhere, nearly everybody’s had a bout here and there. Tinnitus is a non-permanent condition, in most circumstances, and will ultimately disappear on its own. The most typical example is the rock concert: you go to your local stadium to see your favorite band and you notice, when you get home, that there is a ringing in your ears.
The kind of tinnitus that is associated with temporary injury from loud noise will usually subside within a few days (and you chalk it up to the price of seeing your favorite band on stage).
Of course, it’s precisely this kind of noise damage that, over time, can cause loss of hearing to go from temporary (or acute, as they say) to chronic. One concert too many and you may be waiting quite a while for your tinnitus to subside by itself.
When Tinnitus Doesn’t Seem to be Disappearing on its own
If your tinnitus continues for over three months it’s then labeled as chronic tinnitus (but you should get it checked by an expert long before that).
Around 5-15% of people globally have reported indications of chronic tinnitus. The precise causes of tinnitus are still not very well known even though there are some known connections (like loss of hearing).
Often, a quick cure for tinnitus will be elusive if the triggers aren’t apparent. If your ears have been ringing for more than three months and there’s no discernible cause, there’s a strong possibility that the sound will not go away by itself. In those instances, there are treatment possibilities available (such as cognitive behavioral therapy or noise-canceling devices) that can help you control symptoms and protect your quality of life.
The Reason For Your Tinnitus is Important
It becomes much simpler to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus when you can determine the underlying causes. If a bacterial ear infection is, for instance, the reason for your tinnitus, you can revive a healthy ear and clear hearing by treating it with antibiotics.
Here are some likely causes of acute tinnitus:
- Meniere’s disease (this usually has no cure and is often associated with chronic tinnitus)
- A blockage in the ear or ear canal
- Hearing loss (again, this is often associated with chronic tinnitus)
- Eardrum damage (such as a perforated eardrum)
- Chronic ear infections
So…Will The Buzzing in My Ears Subside?
The bottom line is that in most cases, yes, your tinnitus will go away by itself. But it becomes progressively more likely that you’re experiencing chronic tinnitus the longer these tinnitus sounds linger.
You think that if you simply ignore it should disappear on its own. But there could come a point where your tinnitus begins to become irritating, where it’s difficult to concentrate because the sound is too disruptive. In those situations, crossing your fingers might not be the extensive treatment plan you need.
Most of the time tinnitus is just the body’s reaction to loud noise that may be damaging over time and will go away by itself. Whether that’s chronic or acute tinnitus, well, we’ll only know over time.
