What is tinnitus?
The
tinnitus is when you feel ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus is not caused by external sound and other people usually cannot hear it. The
tinnitus it's a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people and is especially common in older adults.
The
tinnitus they are usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury, or a problem with the circulatory system. For many people, tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making the tinnitus less noticeable.
Symptoms of tinnitus
People with tinnitus often hear an annoying noise in their ears, even when there is nothing in the environment that is causing the sound.
The
tinnitus they may have the following
symptoms:
- Hum
- Ringing
- "click" sound
- Whistle
- Radio interference
- Sound of cicadas
Usually, only the person experiencing them can hear these noises. Sometimes, this noise can be so loud that it becomes difficult to concentrate or even hear actual sounds from the environment. Tinnitus can be continuous or come and go occasionally.
There are rarer cases where the
tinnitus they sound like rhythmic noises associated with the heartbeat. This condition is called pulsatile tinnitus.
Types of Tinnitus
There are
2 types of tinnitus:
- Subjective Tinnitus: These are the tinnitus that only the patient himself can hear. They are the most common type and can come from issues in the ear, problems in the part of the brain that processes sound, or problems with the auditory nerves.
- Objective Tinnitus: These tinnitus can also be heard by the doctor, during the examination. They are less common and can be caused by muscle spasms, an abnormality in the blood vessels or problems in the auditory bones of the middle ear.
Causes of Tinnitus
The
tinnitus, a continuous sound in the ears, can be due to various
causes. Often, we cannot find the exact reason that causes them.
The most common ones
causes of tinnitus is:
- Hearing Loss: As we age or are exposed to loud sounds, the sensitive cells in our inner ear can become damaged, causing tinnitus.
- Ear Infection or Blockage: A build-up of wax, dirt, or fluid can clog the ears and cause tinnitus.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries affecting the inner ear, hearing nerves, or brain function related to hearing can cause tinnitus.
- Medicines: Some medicines can cause or worsen tinnitus, especially in high doses.
Less common causes include:
- Meniere's disease and Eustachian tube dysfunction: Conditions affecting the inner ear and fluid pressure.
- Changes in the Bones of the Ear: Problems such as otosclerosis, which affects hearing.
- Muscle Spasms and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: Conditions affecting the inner ear and the area around it.
- Acoustic Neuroma or Other Tumors: Benign or malignant tumors in the head and neck area.
- Blood Vessel Disorders: Conditions that affect blood flow, causing changes in tinnitus.
- Chronic Diseases: Such as diabetes, thyroid problems, migraines, anemia, and autoimmune disorders.
Understanding the various causes can help diagnose and treat tinnitus.
How does ringing in the ear stop?
To
stop ringing in the ear, we must first find where they come from. If they are due to an illness, such as an ear problem, treating the illness can help stop them. When they come from ear damage, they can be harder to get rid of, but there are ways to reduce them. Those
ways of treatment is:
- We do not use cotton swabs
- We reduce it stress
- We avoid a lot loud sounds and we wear ear protection
- We keep her TV volume or music low
- We avoid it salt
- We protect our heart with proper diet and exercise
- We may need to change some medicines we are taking
- We avoid her caffeine, alcohol, smoking
- We wear hearing aids if we have a hearing problem
The
tinnitus they can be bothersome and last for a long time, causing worry and irritation. It is important to see a specialist quickly to find the cause and appropriate treatment.
Risk factors for tinnitus
Anyone can cope
tinnitus, but some
risk factors can make it more likely:
- Loud Noises (machines, loud music, weapons) can cause hearing damage.
- Workers in noisy environments (factories or construction, musicians, and military)
- Health problems (obesity, heart problems, high blood pressure, history of arthritis)
- Age: Wear and tear on the ears over the years can cause hearing problems and tinnitus.
- Sex: Men are more likely to experience tinnitus.
- Smoking and Alcohol: Smokers and those who drink alcohol have an increased risk of tinnitus.
Sources: Tinnitus - Symptoms and causes,
What Is Tinnitus? — Causes and Treatment | NIDCD,
Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears): Causes & Treatment,
Tinnitus - Diagnosis and treatment,
Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears and what to do about it,
Living With Tinnitus
PHARMACIST, M.Sc.
CEO Wecare IKE
