Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a medical condition that can affect anyone. It is the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source of such a sound exists. It describes any type of ringing or buzzing noises, however this medical condition may also present as hissing, cricket sounds, roaring, clicking etc.

Tinitus

Tinnitus varies in terms of duration and severity. This may present itself as a short-lived condition or it can also recur for months and years. This is not a disease but rather considered to be a symptom caused by an underlying medical condition, such as hearing loss or circulatory system disorder.

Tinnitus occurs when a person hears noises that aren’t normally present in the environment, and may be caused by a change in pressure or blood flow to the cochlea (inner ear).

It can also be triggered by certain medications, stress, anxiety or depression. Tinnitus is not curable but it can be treated with different types of therapies.

Causes

Tinnitus is a symptom that can be caused by various factors.

Previous ear or hearing problems

Tinnitus can occur after a person experiences a physical injury to the ear, such as from a loud noise or an accident involving an automobile. This can also result from a middle or inner ear infection or disease.

Inner ear problems

Tinnitus can also occur due to inner ear problems, such as a blood vessel disorder or damage to the nerve from loud noise. This may be accompanied by a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. It can also present as a symptom of Ménière’s disease, a disorder that affects balance and hearing.

Tinnitus may be caused by an acoustic neuroma, a noncancerous (benign) tumor on part of the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain causes dizziness, hearing loss, nausea and vomiting.

It also indicate other physical conditions, including Meniere’s disease (a disorder of the inner ear), high blood pressure, anemia (reduced number of red blood cells), low thyroid, Parkinson’s disease and heart or blood vessel problems.

Middle ear problems

It can also be caused by middle ear problems that affect the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat (nasal passages and oral cavity).

Symptoms

These symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe as the condition progresses. The symptoms may occur all day or just during certain times of the day, such as when experiencing stress or fatigue. Symptoms are may be:

Mild Tinnitus

Tinnitus that is diagnosed as mild does not interfere with normal daily activity and can go unnoticed by the person who has it. This may only be heard when in a quiet environment or at night when trying to sleep.

Moderate Tinnitus

Tinnitus that is diagnosed as moderate causes minor disruptions in daily activities and has a significant effect on the activity of those who have it. It may be loud enough to interfere with conversation or other daily activities, such as watching television or reading.

Severe Tinnitus

Tinnitus that is diagnosed as severe is loud enough to interfere with conversation or other daily activities, such as watching television or reading. It may be so loud that it drowns out background noise and may be very distracting.

Types of Tinnitus

Tinnitus can take different forms for different people. It may sound like:

• Beeping Tinnitus — Tinnitus that sounds like a beep, such as on a telephone
• Ticking Tinnitus — Tinnitus that sounds like ticking
• Circular Tinnitus — A whirling type of Tinnitus
• Ringing Tinnitus — Tinnitus that sounds like ringing or buzzing
• Snapping Tinnitus — Tinnitus that sounds like a snapping or popping sound
• Tumbling Tinnitus — Tinnitus that sounds like a tumbling sound
• Whooshing Tinnitus — Tinnitus that sounds like whooshing or roaring

Treatments

If you suffer from tinnitus, it is important to find out the cause of your symptoms. To do so, see a doctor who can recommend treatment options based on the specifics of your condition.

Treatments include hearing aids, sound therapy or medications targeted toward reducing symptoms caused by conditions related to tinnitus.

A Tinnitus specialist will tell you the best course of treatment based on your symptoms and medical history. It is often called ringing in the ears, but this generally does not mean it is caused by ringing.

Your specialist will also advise on whether this can be treated with medications and which ones might work best for certain types of symptoms.