New study highlights Tinnitus impact as St. Joseph experts see effects locally

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A new study on hearing health is highlighting the impact on tinnitus, also referred to "ringing in the ears".

Local experts say they are beginning to see the effects of tinnitus among residents in St. Joseph. Pamela Nelson Lead Audiogist said people exposed to loud noise or experiencing hearing loss are more likely to develop tinnitus.

"Anybody in manufacturing, anybody involved in different locations that have a lot of noise. Even agricultural communities are exposed to very loud sounds," she said. "They can develop that ringing in the ears pretty quickly. Then, when people have sudden hearing loss that causes the ringing in the ear to start or tinnitus."

Researchers found one and five adults with tinnitus cause them to cut working hours or quit jobs altogether. Nelson said tinnitus could make it hard to focus.

“When you're in quiet situations, that’s when you hear the ringing the most and the loudest," she said. "If they’re at a desk job that doesn't have a lot of noise around them, just trying to read you lose focus on what’s happening around you or what your reading. It becomes very challenging for that individual."