Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head when no external sound is present. It's commonly described as ringing, buzzing, humming, or hissing noises.

Tinnitus can vary in intensity and frequency and may be constant or intermittent. It is often associated with hearing loss, ear injury, or conditions affecting the auditory system, but can also occur without any underlying medical condition. Tinnitus can be distressing for some individuals, affecting their quality of life, sleep, and concentration.

While we often perceive tinnitus as the issue we are experiencing, it is actually a symptom rather than the primary problem we are addressing.

As a result, treatments may focus on addressing the underlying cause of tinnitus rather than directly treating the tinnitus itself.

According to Statistics Canada, it is estimated that 37% of adult Canadians (approximately 9.2 million people) experienced tinnitus in 2018, based on their most recent study.

Among these individuals, 7% reported that tinnitus was bothersome and had a significant impact on their concentration, sleep, and mood.

While age-related hearing loss can contribute to tinnitus, it should not be exclusively considered a sign of aging.

According to Statistics Canada:

"Younger adults, aged 19 to 29, were notably more likely to experience tinnitus in the past year [2018] (46%) compared to those aged 30 to 49 (33%) and 50 to 79 (35%). This trend may be attributed to younger adults' higher usage of audio devices like headphones or earbuds (80%, compared to 53% for ages 30 to 49 and 28% for ages 50 to 79) and their tendency to listen at louder volumes for more hours each week, both of which are risk factors for developing tinnitus."

Hearing aids can often help manage tinnitus, especially if the tinnitus is associated with hearing loss. Here’s how hearing aids can be beneficial:

1. Masking: Many modern hearing aids come with built-in tinnitus masking features to distract from or mask the tinnitus sounds, making them less noticeable.

2. Amplification: Hearing aids amplify external sounds, which can help reduce the contrast between background noise and the perceived tinnitus sounds. This can make tinnitus less noticeable and bothersome.

3. Auditory Stimulation: Improved hearing through hearing aids can provide more auditory stimulation to the brain, potentially reducing the brain’s focus on the tinnitus sound.

4. Improved Communication: Better hearing with hearing aids can enhance communication and social interactions, which can indirectly reduce stress and improve overall well-being, potentially reducing the impact of tinnitus.

However, it’s important to note that while hearing aids can provide relief for many individuals with tinnitus, they may not eliminate tinnitus entirely for everyone. The effectiveness of hearing aids in managing tinnitus can vary depending on the individual’s specific hearing loss and tinnitus characteristics.