For over 50 million Americans, a ringing, buzzing or clicking sensation in their ears is more than just a nuisance – it’s a symptom of a common condition linked to hearing loss. Tinnitus, also known as “ringing in the ears,” affects people in different ways, with some experiencing severe distress that impacts their sleep, mental health and daily routine.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have identified two hidden signs of tinnitus that appear to be linked to the severity of the condition. According to study author Daniel Polley, these biomarkers “get to the root of the distress” and could provide a new way to diagnose and treat tinnitus.
The first biomarker is related to the body’s “fight or flight” response, which is triggered by stress and anxiety. The researchers found that people with severe tinnitus exhibited rapid and subtle involuntary facial movements when listening to sounds, while those with mild symptoms only showed this response to unpleasant sounds.
Another biomarker involves pupil dilation, with people with severe tinnitus experiencing exaggerated dilations in their pupils when listening to different sounds. This finding could help researchers develop new treatments that combine neural stimulation with immersive software to reduce the perceived loudness of tinnitus phantom sounds.
While there is no cure for tinnitus, researchers are hopeful that this new approach could lead to more effective management strategies. Polley plans to expand his research to include patients with co-occurring issues like hearing loss and mental health challenges, paving the way for a potential breakthrough in tinnitus treatment.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/04/30/health/2-symptoms-hidden-in-plain-sight-can-reveal-common-condition-linked-to-hearing-loss