Is There a Correlation Between High Intelligence and Tinnitus Being More Bothersome?

[Tinniger]

I do not believe in thesis in thread title.
I find it too close to the idea that only the greater sensitivity of intelligent individuals makes tinnitus so unbearable for them.
This may be true for mild or "psychologically conditioned" tinnitus.
The tinnitus intensity that I have on my horror days (today is one) is probably unbearable for even the biggest idiot.

 

[Ed209]

Are intelligent people more likely to acquire intrusive tinnitus?
Are intelligent people more likely to suffer with intrusive tinnitus?

This basically stems from the gating hypothesis: what's the fundamental difference between brains that develop chronic tinnitus and brains that don't? We all have inner ear 'damage', but only 10% of us develop tinnitus and for around 1% of us it becomes really bothersome.

I remembered reading years back that people with Asperger's are more likely to develop tinnitus and hyperacusis. It then got me thinking: what other subsets might share common traits, and intelligence seemed quite compelling (there is also social isolation to think about). Let me just say this really clearly though: I'm just thinking out loud here!! I'm not publishing a paper or anything . It is something I would say I've observed more often than not - which is totally circumstantial - but I find it interesting. The close friend of mine who acquired tinnitus and floaters (had surgery to remove them) is highly educated and bright. It also appears to me that many on here seem to be intelligent and well educated.

I thought it would be an interesting debate; I'm certainly not suggesting any of this is true. For starters it's far too simplistic a concept for an organ of such complexity. I suppose what I'm asking is the holy grail of questions because if we knew why some go onto develop chronic tinnitus, whilst others don't, it would imply an understanding of the mechanisms involved.

The main question, without getting too deep, was the one in the title. Are people with higher intelligence (whether that be emotional or logical) more likely to struggle with tinnitus? Do any of you have any experiences that support or refute this idea?

It's just light-hearted debate more than anything.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

if we knew why some go onto develop chronic tinnitus, whilst others don't, it would imply an understanding of the mechanisms involved.

It's my understanding that a loud enough sound kills the nerve hairs in the ear and this is the cause of the ringing. According to your theory, if I am unintelligent, my nerve hairs will not be killed no matter what level of sound my ears are exposed to. So a jet could take off next to an idiot and his ears would be unharmed.

I don't mean to harp on this, but if medical researchers think that tinnitus is a psychological problem and not a physical problem, they'll never try to cure it. I have psychological problems but I know that my tinnitus is about as psychological as a broken bone.

I do think intelligence can make people suffer more. In Vonnegut's story, intelligent people must wear devices in their ears that emit loud noises so that they cannot take advantage of their intelligence. The unintelligent do not need to have their concentration broken because they can't really concentrate anyway. The story is satire, but the idea I wish to illustrate is that intelligent people are more disturbed by a noise that disrupts concentration because intelligent people engage in concentration in the first place.

There was a TV comedy I once saw (don't recall the title) where one character needed to solve another character's problem. A ditzy woman was very upset over something bad that happened and she couldn't get over her feelings of distress. The other character said "just don't think about it" and that instantly alleviated her distress. An exaggeration, but this is what I expect happens with less intelligent people: they're better able to ignore tinnitus and they're less likely to think of all the awful implications and consequences of having tinnitus.

 

[Sam Bridge]

It may be anecdotal but I have an uncle isn't very intelligent. I found out he had tinnitus because he said his ears are humming a few years ago, although I believe he has it had it many years. He works on golf courses cutting the grass, he never wears any protections at work or when he goes to concerts.

I am sure being a "simpler minded" person means he doesn't worry or even know that it can get worse.

 

[Ed209]

It's my understanding that a loud enough sound kills the nerve hairs in the ear and this is the cause of the ringing

You are massively oversimplifying it. The truth is that nobody knows what causes chronic tinnitus. loud noise can simultaneously destroy hair cells and synapses in a number of people, but only around 10% will develop chronic tinnitus. The rest will lose some hearing but won't develop the ringing. Possibly the best theory we have is that fusiform cells in the DCN become more active and start synchronising with other cells in an abnormal way. Some hypothesise that normal brains have a gating mechanism that stop this signal from reaching the higher processing centres of brain. It isn't really understood why this maladaptive plasticity takes place, as none of the tinnitus models really know what is happening. There is also research that heavily implicates the amygdala, hippocampus, and limbic system, suggesting that the brain in some people begins to attach emotional significance to the noise. This also implicates one's memory.

I've been researching tinnitus for years and I've always wondered why some of us get chronic tinnitus and some of us don't. What are the fundamental differences that can turn an ear trauma into a chronic noise in one person's head, but not in another.

It's interesting that people with Asperger's seem to be more susceptible. This also provides further clues as to the types of brains that may be more prone to tinnitus. It wasn't too long ago that scientists were imaging the brains of serial killers to better understand the differences between their brains and normal ones.

And remember, this isn't real science, it's just light hearted debate about why this might happen. I felt there was enough anecdotal evidence in my life to suggest their might be the tiniest of links between intelligence and tinnitus. Thought it might be worth a discussion.

 

[GregCA]

It's my understanding that a loud enough sound kills the nerve hairs in the ear and this is the cause of the ringing. According to your theory, if I am unintelligent, my nerve hairs will not be killed no matter what level of sound my ears are exposed to.

That isn't what his theory states. It could be that the sound still kills the hair cells in any case, but what happens after that can vary among individuals: some would get T, while others wouldn't (or perhaps wouldn't be bothered by it).

I don't mean to harp on this, but if medical researchers think that tinnitus is a psychological problem and not a physical problem, they'll never try to cure it. I have psychological problems but I know that my tinnitus is about as psychological as a broken bone.

Medical researchers already know it is not a psychological problem. The reason you see psychological components in T treatments is to help with coping. There is nothing out that reliably helps alleviate the symptoms, so it makes sense to help patients figure out how to tolerate the intolerable.

 

[Error404]

No idea.

High functioning aspie here with a PhD (philosophy), and doing a postdoc. I don't think of myself as more intelligent than most - I simply have an ability in a fairly specific area. My emotional intelligence could certainly use some work.

I'm no longer significantly bothered by my 24/7 jet engine unmaskable 'reactive' T and fluctuating hyperacusis - it uses up too much of my mental energy to monitor and analyse it. Presently typing this whilst what sounds like a spin dryer is roaring away. I DON'T CARE. The noise IS ridiculous, and I've taken to laughing at it.

 

[Ed209]

It may be anecdotal but I have an uncle isn't very intelligent. I found out he had tinnitus because he said his ears are humming a few years ago, although I believe he has it had it many years. He works on golf courses cutting the grass, he never wears any protections at work or when he goes to concerts.

I am sure being a "simpler minded" person means he doesn't worry or even know that it can get worse.

Sam, without seeming rude (because no matter how I spin this it will sound bad), I have a similar experience. I would say the people who seem to adapt quicker are the easy going, non-thinking, types. My dad has never been bothered by his loud tinnitus, ever. He never mentioned it in his life until I brought it up. I would say my dad is far from an intellectual type. My cousin has both tinnitus and mild hyperacusis and it hasn't bothered him for a moment. The guy still uses nail guns on a daily basis without earplugs (he works in construction). Again, he will tell you himself that he's not clever. All of my old band mates are T free except for a close friend who used to be the vocalist in my first band and he is a really smart guy. I've asked the others many times: do you hear even the slightest humming noise at night - or in a quiet room - and the answer has always been no, nothing.

It's totally clutching at straws (I get that) and I'm certain that there's nothing to this at all, but I still thought it was worth a thread. You just never know what other people's experiences are until you ask.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

Medical researchers already know it is not a psychological problem. The reason you see psychological components in T treatments is to help with coping. There is nothing out that reliably helps alleviate the symptoms, so it makes sense to help patients figure out how to tolerate the intolerable.

I have read some threads on this site that speculate that tinnitus is the result of anxiety. There are also lots of folks who confuse the cure for tinnitus with the cure for anxiety about tinnitus. Psychologists can help with anxiety, but they can't turn down the volume.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

You are massively oversimplifying it.

That's because I'm stupid. Which disproves your theory!

But seriously, I think there are two different theories at work here. One is that brains that produce above-average intelligences also produce tinnitus in response to hearing loss. The other is that people of above-average intelligence have a stronger emotional reaction to the noise of tinnitus and so are more bothered by it.

The first is more interesting because it suggests there's some physical difference in our brains and a physical difference might be something that can be physically repaired. So here's a new question to ponder: If they can take away our tinnitus by also taking away our above-average intelligence, who would go for it?

 

[GregCA]

I have read some threads on this site that speculate that tinnitus is the result of anxiety.

Don't believe everything you read on this site (or anywhere else really).

There are also lots of folks who confuse the cure for tinnitus with the cure for anxiety about tinnitus. Psychologists can help with anxiety, but they can't turn down the volume.

I agree with you.

 

[JohnAdams]

I hate having tinnitus. It super sucks.

 

[Ed209]

Don't believe everything you read on this site (or anywhere else really).

Ain't that the truth!! <—— Now, should you believe this comment or not, hmm .

I'm an advocate of being a freethinker and doing ones own research. Never take anything at face value and always question things you read.

And most importantly, for medical advice, always seek out a Dr who specialises in the field you need help with. There's a lot of armchair Drs online who love to prescribe things.

 

[Ed209]

I hate having tinnitus. It super sucks.

I can empathise, John. It took live music away from me which was/is my passion. However, I'm no longer insanely depressed about it like I was, and am mostly as happy now as I was before all of this happened to me. It's really really tough though.

That said, I would still love to eradicate tinnitus from the world and stop the suffering for everyone. No matter how one's tinnitus started or what the origins were.

 

[Ed209]

If they can take away our tinnitus by also taking away our above-average intelligence, who would go for it?

Great question

And by the way, knowledge does not necessarily equal intelligence, but it does usually suggest a good working memory. This is why people with above average intelligence usually have great general knowledge.

However, if one doesn't know something it doesn't necessarily mean they are stupid. It usually means that they haven't heard about the topic, or researched it. No amount of intelligence can make up for that. Some people do absorb knowledge like a sponge though.