Tinnitus
Tinnitus is hearing unusual sounds in the ear that are not actually occurring in the environment. Ringing, buzzing, hissing, blowing, or other abnormal noises may be heard in one or both ears. Tinnitus is most frequently caused by ear disorders, medical conditions, and medications. It is a common condition that most people experience at some point in their life. However, ongoing tinnitus can interfere with sleep and daily activities. Treatments can help reduce or eliminate tinnitus.
Causes
Tinnitus can occur for many reasons. If the microscopic hairs in the inner ear are broken or bent, causing false nerve signals to be sent to the brain, tinnitus can occur. The brain interprets the inaccurate nerve signals as sound. This explains why the sound that is heard in the ear is not actually occurring in the environment. Loud noises and age-related hearing loss are associated with damage to the microscopic hairs.
Tinnitus is a common symptom of many ear problems, including ear wax buildup, trauma, ear infections, foreign objects in the ear, perforated eardrum, Meniere’s disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and otosclerosis (hardening of the small bones in the ear). Tinnitus can be caused by nerve disorders, such as Bell’s Palsy, neurofibromatosis, brain tumors, acoustic neuroma, traumatic brain injury, and concussion. Changes in blood flow can cause tinnitus. High blood pressure, preeclampsia with pregnancy, arteriovascular malformation (AVM), and aneurysm can contribute to tinnitus. Alcohol, caffeine, cigarette smoking, aspirin, antibiotics, and other medications can cause tinnitus as well.
Symptoms
Tinnitus causes people to hear unusual noises in one or both ears when there is actually no such sounds in the environment. The noises may be subtle or loud and last for a short time or a long time. Tinnitus can produce a variety of abnormal sounds, including whirling, swooshing, ringing, buzzing, chirping, roaring, whistling, blowing, or humming. The noises may make it difficult for you to fall asleep or perform your regular activities.
Diagnosis
You should contact your doctor if you have sustained tinnitus. Your doctor will review your medical history and conduct an examination. You should bring a list of all the medications that you take for your doctor to review. Your doctor will examine the inside of your ear with an otoscope, which is a lighted device with a magnifying glass. You may also receive a hearing test to measure your degree of hearing loss.
Treatment
The treatment for tinnitus depends on its cause. Treating ear infections, removing ear wax buildup, or removing foreign objects in the ear can stop tinnitus. Treatment for underlying medical conditions reduces or eliminates symptoms. If a medication is causing tinnitus, your doctor may switch your medication to one that does not cause tinnitus. Your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus.
In some cases, treatment may not make tinnitus go away. Devices that are worn in the ear can help mask the abnormal noises. Hearing aids may increase the volume of environmental sounds to decrease the annoyance of tinnitus. A fan, white noise maker, or low-volume radio static can help mask tinnitus.
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes can help reduce tinnitus. Relaxation techniques, biofeedback, regular exercise, and counseling can help to reduce stress, which may increase tinnitus.