The Science Behind Tinnitus: What Happens Inside Your Ears

Tinnitus results from changes within the auditory system, which may stem from damage to the ear or the neural pathways that carry sound to the brain. The most accepted theory is that tinnitus comes from outer hair cell damage in the cochlea in the ear, leading to changes in the signals sent from the ear to the brain. Some research suggests that when these normal signals are disrupted, the brain compensates by creating its own noise, leading to tinnitus. This phantom sound can also emerge as the brain’s auditory system becomes overly sensitive after hearing loss, detecting internal processes in the ear and interpreting them as sound. Further research indicates that tinnitus is associated with changes in the brain’s activity pattern, suggesting it’s not just a hearing issue but also involves significant neuroplastic changes within the brain’s auditory cortex (“Understanding the Facts,” American Tinnitus Association).

Source: American Tinnitus Association – Understanding the Facts