Understanding Tinnitus Duration
Acute tinnitus can last from a few minutes to a few weeks after noise exposure.24 In some cases, tinnitus has a gradual onset and several years can pass before an intermittent, low-intensity tinnitus becomes bothersome.25
Natural Habituation
Spontaneous remission by natural habituation is experienced by more than three-quarters of sufferers. Habituation occurs within the CNS (central nervous system), whereas adaptation involves a peripheral sensory organ.8
For those in whom the condition worsens, the tinnitus intensity increases over time but its pitch tends to remain stable.22
Important: If tinnitus persists for more than 2 years, it is considered permanent and irreversible.26
Reference
Han BI, Lee HW, Kim TY, Lim JS, Shin KS. Tinnitus: characteristics, causes, mechanisms, and treatments. J Clin Neurol. 2009 Mar;5(1):11-9. doi: 10.3988/jcn.2009.5.1.11. Epub 2009 Mar 31. PMID: 19513328; PMCID: PMC2686891.