Dealing with tinnitus often feels like walking a tightrope – balancing between moments of silence and sudden intrusions of phantom sounds. What might not help is that after a long day out on the water or in the sun, your sunburn might make your tinnitus feel like it’s gotten even louder.
Given where we are, we’re no stranger to the unlikely link between the two, but we often have patients asking us: Could sunburn or extended sun exposure have worsened the distracting ringing in my ears?
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is characterized by hearing sounds that aren’t present, typically described using terms like ringing, buzzing, hissing, or whistling. For some, these sounds are occasional and mild, while for others, they can be persistent and intrusive, affecting your daily life.
It’s crucial to recognize that tinnitus is not a disease; instead, it’s a symptom signaling an underlying condition affecting your hearing as a whole.
Common causes include:
- Hearing Loss: Often related to the natural aging process, hearing loss can lead to tinnitus as the central auditory system tries to adapt to changed sound processing.
- Loud Noise Exposure: Regular exposure to high decibel levels, whether from concerts or occupational environments, can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear.
- Earwax Buildup: Sometimes, excessive earwax leads to blockage, influencing hearing and potentially causing tinnitus.
- Medications: Certain drugs, such as high doses of aspirin or antibiotics, are known to be ototoxic, meaning they can affect ear function and cause tinnitus.
Although not inherently harmful, tinnitus can be exceptionally bothersome. It disrupts sleep, concentration, and emotional balance, needing targeted management strategies.
How Sunburn and Sun Exposure May Affect Tinnitus
A severe sunburn is more than just painful; it starts physiological responses that could impact those who already experience tinnitus. Here’s how these factors can interconnect:
1. Inflammation:
Sunburns induce a systemic inflammatory response as the body attempts to heal the damaged skin. This inflammation doesn’t exist in isolation – it can influence various bodily systems, including the inner ear, which is sensitive to changes in blood flow and pressure.
2. Physical Stress:
The discomfort caused by sunburn is often accompanied by physical stress, a non-specific intensifier of tinnitus. Stress can heighten your perception of tinnitus, making the sounds seem louder and more intrusive.
3. Dehydration:
It’s not uncommon for hot, sun-drenched days to lead to dehydration if fluid intake is insufficient. Dehydration can reduce blood flow to vital areas of the body, including the cochlea in the inner ear, potentially exacerbating tinnitus.
4. Heat Exhaustion or Fatigue:
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to heat exhaustion. When your body is fatigued, its response to auditory signals can be heightened, making tinnitus symptoms more pronounced. It’s an under-discussed factor, yet one that significantly influences auditory experiences.
When to Seek Help for Tinnitus
Recognizing when tinnitus goes from being a minor annoyance to a significant health concern is vital.
You should consider consulting a hearing healthcare provider if:
- Tinnitus is continuous and persistent, lasting more than two weeks.
- Symptoms worsen significantly after sun exposure or outdoor activities.
- It interferes with your daily life, affecting sleep, concentration, and mood.
- Accompanied by other symptoms like changes in hearing, ear pain, or dizziness.
Professional hearing evaluations and tinnitus assessments are instrumental in diagnosing the underlying causes and formulating personalized treatment plans. These may include sound therapy, counseling, or audiological devices tailored to your needs.
Take Control of Your Tinnitus (and Wear Sunscreen!)
While basking in sunshine is undeniably delightful and beneficial for your well-being, it’s crucial to remember that overexposure can affect more than your skin.
It may amplify tinnitus symptoms, interfering with your peace and comfort.
Make sure that you enjoy each sunny day to its fullest without compromise with the help of our expert team and tinnitus care that’s tailored with your needs at front of mind!
Request a callback to get in touch with our team today, or give us a call directly at (345) 946-9174.
