Understanding Tinnitus: How a rare condition can affect your hearing and what you need to know

A constant ringing, buzzing or whistling in the ears, often dismissed as minor, can sometimes signal serious neurological issues. Doctors say tinnitus, which affects around 10–15% of adults globally, is usually linked to hearing loss or noise exposure but may also result from conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or stress.

At Delhi’s PSRI Hospital, a 24-year-old woman showed how severe it can be. She had progressive hearing loss for over a decade and persistent whistling in both ears. An MRI revealed a rare neurovascular conflict, where a blood vessel was pressing against her auditory nerves, causing tinnitus, imbalance, and hearing damage.

The neurosurgery team performed a microvascular decompression, shifting the artery and cushioning the nerve with a Teflon sponge. Her hearing improved immediately. “This case is a reminder that hearing loss is not always permanent. If diagnosed correctly, advanced surgical techniques like microvascular decompression can restore hearing and eliminate tinnitus or vertigo within days. Awareness is key — early recognition of symptoms can prevent years of suffering,” said Dr Dhruv Chaturvedi, director of neurosurgery at PSRI Hospital.


The patient had initially come for a cochlear implant, but ENT specialist Dr LM Parashar spotted the vascular loops in her MRI. “Instead of rushing into an implant, we referred her to neurosurgery. The results after decompression were immediate and gratifying, and she has now opted for the same surgery on the other ear,” he said.

Doctors stress, however, that most tinnitus cases don’t require surgery. “For most people, tinnitus can be managed without an operation,” said Dr Rushil Puri, ENT consultant at Apollo Spectra Hospital. Non-surgical management includes hearing aids, sound therapy, relaxation techniques, and treating underlying conditions, alongside lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and excess salt.

[With TOI inputs]