Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAnyone can get tinnitus, but you might be at increased risk if:
- You've been exposed to loud noise without ear protection, especially on an ongoing basis.
- You're over age 65.
- You have age-related hearing loss.
- You're a man.
- You're Caucasian.
- You have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Tinnitus is especially aggravated by loud noises in people with PTSD.
References
- About tinnitus. American Tinnitus Association. http://www.ata.org/for-patients/about-tinnitus. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- Dinces EA. Pathogenesis and diagnosis of tinnitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 6, 2010.
- Dinces EA. Treatment of tinnitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 6, 2010.
- Holmes S, et al. Review paper: More than ringing in the ears — A review of tinnitus and its psychosocial impact. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2009;18:2927.

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