Ringing In Your Ears? Serotonin May Be the Culprit
Midjourney
Ring, Ring: Tinnitus, a condition that affects more than 25 million Americans, is characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears. It can range from mildly annoying to fully debilitating, and it’s associated with hearing loss, head and neck injuries, and ear infections. Certain medications may also fuel the condition, like NSAIDs, some antibiotics, diuretics, and anti-cancer drugs. And now, new research is adding one more to that list: antidepressants.
The Study: Research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences links serotonin, the neurotransmitter often used in depression treatment, to tinnitus. Using optogenetics (a technique that utilizes fiber optics and light to activate specific brain cells) on mice, the scientists found “a specific brain circuit involving serotonin that goes straight to the auditory system” — and discovered that it can induce tinnitus.
The Takeaway: If you take a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to treat anxiety or depression, and you experience disruptive tinnitus, it may be worth talking to your doctor about changing your medication regimen.
Keep in Mind: This study was performed on mice, not humans. That said, it still furthers the framework for improving tinnitus treatment in the future, as well as understanding its relationship with mood disorders.
