Does Tinnitus shorten life expectancy? The answer is, indirectly, yes. Having Tinnitus, particularly bothersome Tinnitus, can often mean that one’s life expectancy will be less than optimal. There are several reasons for this, as explained below.
Compromised Life Expectancy Caused by Tinnitus Related Comorbidities
What is Your Tinnitus Handicap Score?
Calculate your THI Score in about 2-3 Minutes
Tinnitus is often a symptom that accompanies comorbidities or health conditions that can affect life expectancy. Such comorbidities are explained below. Tinnitus can also depreciate one’s quality of mental and physical life, causing other symptoms that can then reduce life expectancy.
Life Expectancy Compromised Due to Stress Caused by Tinnitus
Stress is called a silent killer for a reason. Studies have shown that chronic stress can reduce one’s life span by almost 3 years. Another study indicates that anywhere from 28% to 45% of Tinnitus patients suffer from stress and anxiety. So, having Tinnitus often means that the patient is more stressed and anxious than the average person without Tinnitus.
What can you do?
How Severe is Your Tinnitus?
Find out by using this THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) Scoring Calculator
One must try to limit the amount of stress that is induced by Tinnitus. This can be achieved by seeking Tinnitus treatment, wearing hearing aids, trying to sleep with masking devices and also by practicing mindfulness. Here’s a detailed post we wrote about how to handle stress and anxiety caused by Tinnitus.
Life Expectancy Compromised Due to Hypertension that can Cause Tinnitus
Tinnitus is often caused by irregular or compromised supply of blood to the ears. The ears rely on nutrients present in the blood to properly function. The human body is designed in such a way that the ears are fed with blood through tiny blood vessels called capillaries. When a person has low or high blood pressure, blood flow through these capillaries is compromised. The ears begin to receive less or an inconsistent supply of nutrients that then lead to symptoms such as hearing loss, vertigo and Tinnitus.
So, Tinnitus patients often have hypertension and hypertension can affect life expectancy. This study showed that having Stage 3 hypertension can reduce life expectancy by as many as 12.2 years.
| Hypertension Stage | Systolic Range | Diastolic Range | Life Expectancy Reduction* |
| Stage 1 | 120-129 | <80 | 2.2 |
| Stage 2 | 130-139 | 80-89 | 4.1 |
| Stage 3 | >140 | >90 | 12.2 |
*According to this study
Read more about the stages of hypertension here.
Note about Pulsatile Tinnitus, Hypertension and Life Expectancy
Pulsatile Tinnitus is a condition where one’s Tinnitus sounds like a whooshing or thumping noise. This sound coincides with the heartbeat. Pulsatile Tinnitus is often a clear indicator of blood pressure problems and will need a thorough medical evaluation by a cardiologist, neurologist and in many cases, by both.
What can you do?
Hypertension responds well to lifestyle and diet changes. By simply exercising more, limiting salt intake and eliminating smoking and drinking, hypertension can be significantly controlled. Medication often helps as well. Here’s a comprehensive Mayo Clinic article about Hypertension, to help you get started on your research about managing hypertension.
Life Expectancy Compromised Due to Depression Caused by Tinnitus
Tinnitus when particularly bothersome causes people to isolate themselves. This happens because the Tinnitus sufferer is unable to follow or enjoy conversations with others. Isolation then causes cognitive decline and depression. Studies have shown that depression can shave off as many as 10 years off one’s life expectancy. How does this happen? Depression causes stress which then increases cortisol levels. Cortisol levels then increase chances of a heart attack. People with Tinnitus also have a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive decline conditions. Such conditions also generally lead to reduced life expectancy.
What can you do?
Seek help in the form of therapy for your depression. Treatment for depression includes talk therapy and the use of antidepressants. On a side note, you must know that most antidepressants are ototoxic in nature. Ototoxic medication means that the medication can adversely affect ear health, potentially worsening Tinnitus. This is why it is important to choose a safe antidepressant for Tinnitus.
One can also try talking to family and friends to help them understand your struggles because of Tinnitus. Such communication will give them an opportunity to be more mindful and inclusive towards you, especially in social situations. If you have trouble following or hearing conversations because of your Tinnitus, audiologist fitted hearing aids can also dramatically improve your listening capabilities, thus allowing you to socialize more effectively. Simply socializing more can greatly reduce the intensity and intrusiveness of depression.
Life Expectancy Compromised Due to Chronically Poor Sleep Caused by Tinnitus
People with Tinnitus usually have compromised sleep. And chronic lack of quality sleep can increase mortality risk by as much as 15%. Mortality risk is increased because lack of sleep greatly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and also cardiovascular disease. One’s immunity is also greatly compromised. For example, a study showed that people who chronically slept less than 7 hours a night had a three times higher risk of catching the common cold when compared to those who slept more than 7 hours a night.
What can you do?
Here’s a detailed post we wrote about how you can sleep better with Tinnitus.
