You probably already know what usually causes Tinnitus -Hearing loss, exposure to loud noises, ear wax impaction, infections to the ear or trauma to the neck. But, can Tinnitus also be hereditary? Is it a genetic disorder that you can inherit? Let’s find out.
Studies Linking Tinnitus to Genetics
Swedish study that investigated 10,000 Twin Pairs
This study investigated the prevalence of Tinnitus in over 10,000 twin pairs. The study concluded that genetic causation was more prominent when the Tinnitus was bilateral (in both ears). It also suggested that genetics were more likely to play a role in men and women under 40.
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Heritability findings about Tinnitus
Bilateral Tinnitus = 0.56 | Unilateral Tinnitus = 0.27
Men = 0.68 | Women = 0.41 | Women <40 = 0.62
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European Study of over 172,000 Tinnitus Patients
This study concluded that Tinnitus exhibited “Modest but significant heritability”. Interestingly, it also found a genetic causation of other co-conditions such as depression and hearing loss.
The study also identified eight individual genes and three loci (fixed positions on a chromosome) that had a tendency to cause Tinnitus. This could potentially lead the way into gene studies that might help identify Tinnitus risk groups, in the future.
Genetics of hearing loss
90% of people with Tinnitus also have hearing loss. So, it would be prudent to investigate if hearing loss is genetic, then potentially leading to Tinnitus.
It is estimated that 35% to 55% of age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis) is genetic in nature. It was also found that a vast majority of congenital hearing loss (hearing loss at birth) was genetic in nature.
So, it would be apt to conclude that a family history of hearing loss could also mean that Tinnitus could run in the family.
If Tinnitus is Genetic and My Family Has It, Will I Get It Too?
This is probably the big question you have in your mind. Do you have parents, siblings or family members who suffer from Tinnitus? How likely is it to get passed on to you?
The general consensus suggested by genetic studies on Tinnitus suggest that genetics only put you in a higher-risk group of developing Tinnitus. You will still need to succumb to environmental factors to then be affected by Tinnitus.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself From Inheriting Tinnitus?
Limit your exposure to environmental factors that can cause Tinnitus. Some of the things you can do are;
- Take a hearing test to find out if you have partial hearing loss. If you do have partial or hidden hearing loss, start wearing hearing aids
- Protect your ears against loud noise exposure, by wearing Tinnitus ear plugs
- Have your ear wax checked out
- Eliminate or limit alcohol and foods that cause Tinnitus
- Stop smoking
- Manage your stress levels
- Take careful care of nasal polyps, sinusitis and allergies
- If you are on antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines, choose one with low ototoxicity
- Take a Vitamin B12 supplement
- Take care of wisdom teeth and clenched jaw or teeth grinding problems
Is Pulsatile Tinnitus Genetic?
There’s unfortunately very little research available on whether pulsatile Tinnitus is genetic. But, pulsatile Tinnitus is usually caused by malformations of blood vessels and arteries which can be genetic in nature.
