Tinnitus affects children just as much as it does adults. But, the good news is that Tinnitus in kids is often temporary. It usually passes with time. That being said, the following post will tell you everything you need to know about ringing in the ears that specifically affects children.
When to take your child to a doctor, for his or her Tinnitus?
As mentioned earlier, Tinnitus in children, otherwise known as Pediatric Tinnitus will mostly pass on its own. But, there are some instances when a visit to the doctor’s office is definitely necessary. it is estimated that 1 out of every 12 children who suffer from Tinnitus will have it bad enough to require medical intervention.
What is Your Tinnitus Handicap Score?
Calculate your THI Score in about 2-3 Minutes
When your child has a thick discharge from the ears
Thick discharge from the ears is a condition called Glue Ear. The medical term for its is Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). This is an infection that is caused by unfavorable changes to the way in which the Eustachian tube functions. You can learn more about how the Eustachian tube can cause Tinnitus in this post we wrote about how Vicks Vaporub can help with Tinnitus brought on by a sinus infection.
Coming back to Glue Ear, the condition will definitely require you to take your child to a doctor. You will most probably be referred to the Otolaryngology department where a qualified ENT will assess your child’s condition. Treatment for Glue Ear involves watchful waiting (up to 3 months), medication, balloon treatment and various forms of medications.
When your child has vertigo and balance issues
If your child’s Tinnitus is accompanied by dizziness and trouble maintaining balance, chances are that there’s a lot going wrong in their middle and inner ears. Only an ENT can ascertain the full extent of their condition, with various tests and assessments.
How Severe is Your Tinnitus?
Find out by using this THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) Scoring Calculator
When your child has sleeplessness, anxiety, depression or irritability
Kids, especially young children, have trouble expressing themselves when they are affected by Tinnitus. But, the condition can make them anxious, irritable or even depressed. Medical intervention is also required when Tinnitus begins to affect their social interactions and performance at school. Debilitating Tinnitus that is not treated or managed can deteriorate and make it harder and harder for the child to cope with.
What if you suspect Tinnitus, but your Child can’t confirm it?
Some children might think that all children or all people hear a ringing in their ears. They might not want to talk to you for fear of looking different. Many children also feel that no one will believe them when they say they hear a ringing in their ears. If your child can’t communicate his or her Tinnitus condition, you can look out for the subtle signs below.
- Your child can’t sleep without noise – If your child insists on having the TV, radio or something that creates noise on at bedtime, it could be that they are trying to mask the Tinnitus sounds with distracting noise
- Child is uncomfortable in loud environments – Kids who have severe Tinnitus do not like being in loud environments as their ringing can get louder and more intense
- Your child is uncomfortable in quiet environments – While loud environments are unpleasant, quiet environments can be equally unsettling as well. This is because the Tinnitus is very pronounced when there are no environmental sounds to process
- Irritability when you talk to them – Listening to you makes your child focus on their hearing. Unfortunately, this can aggravate their Tinnitus as the ringing is more pronounced when they try hard to listen
- Your young child holds its ears – Very young children, especially those who have not yet learnt how to speak will hold their ears when their Tinnitus bothers them too much
What Causes Tinnitus in Children?
A variety of factors can cause children to develop ringing in the ears. We’ve listed them below. The more common causes are listed first.
- Noise exposure – Very loud exposure or consistent exposure to loud levels of music, noise or media can cause Tinnitus in children. With most kids using ear buds on their phones and media players, it is imperative that parents talk to them about safe volume levels. Or, even better, advocate the use of speakers that don’t pose nearly as much risk as ear buds
- Sinus infections that lead to Ear infections – Ear infections are not contagious. But, the common cold or hay fever that can cause Tinnitus is very contagious. If your child and his or her friend in daycare, school or your neighborhood also got Tinnitus, you know know how
- Second hand smoke – Children exposed to second hand smoke have a higher chance of developing Tinnitus
- Abnormal growth in middle ear – Some children develop cholesteatoma or a growth that affects the structures of the middle ear, then causing Tinnitus. This seems to be a genetic condition and usually requires surgery to resolve
- Misaligned jaw – Falls that cause trauma to the jaw can bring on a case of Tinnitus. Clenched jaws can cause Tinnitus. Also, TMJ or temporomandibular disorders like Bruxism (teeth gridning) can cause ringing in the ears
- Excessive ear wax – Ear wax buildup can also cause Tinnitus. Digging for ear wax with a Q-Tip can also cause ringing in the ears
How to Treat your child for Tinnitus?
By talking about the condition
Children are able to cope remarkably well when their Tinnitus condition is explained to them. A child’s brain has plenty of neural plasticity which allows them to develop favorable response to adverse scenarios. When they know that other children also suffer from Tinnitus, they are able to better cope with it. Their stress and anxiety levels go down and this can in turn reduce the intensity of Tinnitus.
Many parents make the mistake of not talking to their Children about the condition. They fear that explaining Tinnitus will cause anxiety and stress. But, it’s usually the opposite that is true.
Better Sleep
Children with Tinnitus fall asleep sooner when they can listen to distracting white noises. A fan, a white noise machine or even a phone playing masking sounds will allow them to sleep better. Melatonin has been known to help with Tinnitus as well. Unlike sleeping pills, Melatonin is natural and fairly safe to use even in Children. But, only a doctor should prescribe use in children.
Hearing aids
If your child’s Tinnitus is also accompanied by hearing loss, hearing aids can really help. They can amplify environmental sounds and reduce the focus on the ringing sound. There are also a variety of hearing aids that also double up as sound maskers when you want it to.
Less Sugar
Sugar can aggravate Tinnitus. If your child consumes a lot of refined sugar in their diet, cutting back will definitely make Tinnitus more manageable for them.
Medical Intervention
Please see the section in the earlier part of this post that tells you when you must take your child to the Doctor, for their Tinnitus.
