Increased stress hormone levels (like cortisol)
Trouble sleeping and resulting cognitive decline
Reduced attention span
Mood disorders (anxiety, irritability, depression)
Changes in brain structure over time (seen in some MRI studies)
Summary:
Tinnitus isn’t “just a sound in your ears.” It’s a neurological condition that affects multiple brain systems — especially those involved in sound perception, attention, emotions, and memory. The more attention and emotional energy the brain gives to tinnitus, the more intrusive and damaging it becomes.
