There are certain risk factors which are important to be aware of, especially if you think there might be a chance of developing this problem. Those who believe they may be at risk for tinnitus will want to carefully look through some of the different risk factors in under to gain a better understanding on what they can do to prevent this from becoming an issue in the future.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that Caucasian men over the age of 65 are the most likely group to develop tinnitus, though people of other ages and races are certainly at risk as well. Although hearing loss is closely associated with tinnitus, it is not a direct result of this disorder but rather another symptom of an underlying cause.
Overexposure to loud noises can also lead to the development of tinnitus over time. Those who have jobs that expose them to very loud noises on a regular basis will want to take care to wear the proper ear protection so as to avoid damage to the inner ear. Both tinnitus and hearing loss can result from an overexposure to high decibel sounds over a long enough period of time.
Those who have post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD are also likely to develop problems with tinnitus as people who have this problem are easily aggravated by loud noises. People who have sustained major head injuries can also develop tinnitus, though in this case it tends to happen all at once rather than a slow progression over time.
With all of the dozens of possible explanations for tinnitus, there are many different risk factors, although there are some which are more common than others and should be given due attention. One of the most important things for people who are at risk for tinnitus to do is avoid loud noises whenever possible and wear the appropriate ear protection if they must be exposed to it. Damage to the tiny hairs inside the ears over a long enough period of time can cause hearing loss as well as tinnitus.
