Tomorrow, there will not only be a hangover that the night owls of the Fête de la Musique will surely have to face. Another ailment is likely to affect them: tinnitus. These buzzes heard continuously or intermittently have no apparent sound source. They are notably caused by auditory trauma, even if its most frequent cause remains the aging of the hearing. This type of tinnitus is called “subjective”. The “objectives”, 5% of cases, are themselves indicative of a neurological disease or an underlying ear pathology. Only subjective tinnitus is noise dependent.
“The most frequent cause is a lesion of certain cells in the inner ear which may be linked to an infection, trauma, a natural aging process or an excessively noisy atmosphere”, explains Gilles Besnainou, ENT in Paris. Between 14 and 17 million French people are affected by tinnitus, including 2 to 4 million permanently, according to an IFOP survey for the National Hearing Day association carried out in 2020. But how to detect people at risk? to develop this type of hearing problem? In other words, how do you know if it will be you or your friend who, at the same concert, will come out buzzing?
No genetic or physiological markers
“Sensitivity to the factors triggering tinnitus, such as high sound levels, varies greatly from one person to another, points out Didier Bouccara, ENT doctor and hospital practitioner. The great difficulty is that we have no indicator to detect the most sensitive person. Despite current imaging techniques, no morphological differences were detected.
Researchers do not know more about genetics. The causes and mechanisms of tinnitus being extremely varied and numerous, the identification of a precise genetic factor is complex. “Some patients tell me ‘it’s in the family’, testifies the doctor. It’s possible, but in fact, we don’t know. »
Recurrent ear infections, previous head trauma and taking certain medications
Vulnerability to tinnitus is therefore more to be found on the side of individual factors. Professions, such as DJs, certain musicians such as drummers or construction workers, being more exposed to high sound levels, are more at risk. A person with a weakening of the anterior auditory system due to repeated ear infections or head trauma will also be more likely to be prone to tinnitus.
Taking certain medications can also, by weakening the inner ear, promote the appearance of noises in our ears. Bactericidal antibiotic treatments, such as aminoglycosides, taking high doses of aspirin, more than 2 grams per day, or certain drugs used in oncology are likely to make people more susceptible to tinnitus. Using ear drops when you have a punctured eardrum can be toxic to the inner ear and cause constant ringing.
Be vigilant on the small initial symptoms
Since we cannot predict a vulnerability, “we must be vigilant to symptoms that we can consider as banal and minor”, warns Didier Bouccara. After an evening in a nightclub or a concert, having tinnitus for a few minutes or a few hours is not to be neglected. Even if they disappear quickly. “It’s not normal, insists Didier Bouccara. This reflects a fragility and sensitivity of the ear”.
If, in the vast majority of cases, this symptom is banal, it can be a precursor to chronic tinnitus. For the doctor, as soon as the buzzing persists for several hours or several days, it is necessary to consult. In the most serious cases, the person prone to these buzzes may receive emergency treatment with corticosteroids to reduce the intensity of the symptoms. And to avoid getting there, don’t forget your earplugs tonight if you’re the type to stick to the sound system.