Many people think hearing gets worse only because they get older. Often the first clue is a soft ringing, buzzing, or hissing that only you can hear.
Susan Bianco, 87, from Lancaster, first noticed her hearing changing when she had to ask her husband to repeat himself. Phone calls became hard, and noisy places felt overwhelming.
She later heard a faint buzz in her ears, especially when she was tired. Her story matches a big study: about 13% of adults in the United States have trouble hearing, and that rises to 27% for those 65 and older. Roughly 10% of adults also experience tinnitus – a constant ringing or buzzing inside the ear.
Both hearing loss and tinnitus become more common with age and with exposure to loud sounds.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is hearing a sound when there is no outside source. People describe it as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or a whooshing noise.
Some say it sounds like cicadas, others compare it to a passing train. For many, the noise is constant and makes it hard to focus or enjoy daily activities.
The sound does not come from the environment. It is a signal mix‑up between the ears and the brain.
Other sound‑related problems include hyperacusis (everyday noises feel too loud) and misophonia (certain sounds trigger strong emotions).
How Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Start
Dr. Jackie Price, an audiologist at Penn State Health, says tinnitus often appears early in the hearing‑loss process.
Inside the inner ear is the cochlea, a tiny spiral that holds hair cells. These cells turn sound waves into electrical signals for the brain.
When the hair cells are damaged, they send weak or confused signals. The brain may fill in the gaps with phantom sounds, creating tinnitus.
Hearing loss and tinnitus can affect sleep, concentration, relationships, and even mood. Studies link them to faster memory decline, higher depression risk, and more falls.
Simple Ways to Protect Your Hearing
The best defense is to keep loud noise away from your ears. Use ear protection when sound levels are above 85 decibels – concerts, sports events, fireworks, or power tools.
Dr. Price also advises wearing protection while mowing the lawn, especially if you listen to music through earbuds at the same time.
Choose earplugs or earmuffs with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 22 dB. Follow the correct insertion method: squeeze a foam plug, roll it, pull the ear lobe up, place the plug, and let it expand.
Most foam plugs are meant for one use only, which keeps the seal tight.
Treatment Options
There is no cure for permanent hearing loss or tinnitus, but several tools can help daily life.
Hearing aids amplify sounds and make conversation easier. For tinnitus, many use Tinnitus Retraining Therapy – a mix of counseling and gentle background noise that distracts from the ringing.
Susan Bianco now uses a hearing aid that plays a soft rain sound, which makes her tinnitus less noticeable.
When to See a Professional
If you hear ringing, buzzing, or other odd sounds, schedule a hearing test. Even if you think your hearing is fine, a test can spot early damage and guide you on protecting your ears.
Early detection gives you a chance to act, keep your hearing healthy, and enjoy a better quality of life.