Tinnitus
What is Tinnitus ?
Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn’t caused by an external sound, and other people usually can’t hear it. Tinnitus is a common problem. It affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults.
Tinnitus is 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 tinnitus less noticeable.
Symptoms
- Buzzing
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Humming
- Whistling
- Squealing
- Chirping
- Sizzling
- Sounds can be soft or loud
- Sounds can be low-pitched or high-pitched
- Sounds can be intermittent, persistent, steady or pulsating
Cause
Several health conditions can cause or worsen tinnitus. In many cases, an exact cause is never found. In many people, tinnitus is caused by one of the following: Hearing loss. There are tiny, delicate hair cells in your inner ear (cochlea) that move when your ear receives sound waves. This movement triggers electrical signals along the nerve from your ear to your brain (auditory nerve). Your brain interprets these signals as sound. If the hairs inside your inner ear are bent or broken — this happens as you age or when you are regularly exposed to loud sounds — they can “leak” random electrical impulses to your brain, causing tinnitus. Ear infection or ear canal blockage. Your ear canals can become blocked with a buildup of fluid (ear infection), earwax, dirt, or other foreign materials. A blockage can change the pressure in your ear, causing tinnitus. Head or neck injuries. Head or neck trauma can affect the inner ear, hearing nerves, or brain function linked to hearing. Such injuries usually cause tinnitus in only one ear. Medications. Several medications may cause or worsen tinnitus. Generally, the higher the dose of these medications, the worse tinnitus becomes. Often, the unwanted noise disappears when you stop using these drugs. Medications known to cause tinnitus include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, water pills (diuretics), antimalarial drugs, and antidepressants.
Risk Factors
Anyone can experience tinnitus, but these factors may increase your risk: Loud noise exposure. Loud noises, such as those from heavy equipment, chainsaws, and firearms, are common sources of noise-related hearing loss. Portable music devices, such as MP3 players, can also cause noise-related hearing loss if played loudly for long periods. People who work in noisy environments — such as factory and construction workers, musicians, and soldiers — are particularly at risk. Age. As you age, the number of functioning nerve fibers in your ears declines, possibly causing hearing problems often associated with tinnitus. Sex. Men are more likely to experience tinnitus. Tobacco and alcohol use. Smokers have a higher risk of developing tinnitus. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of tinnitus. Certain health problems. Obesity, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, and a history of arthritis or head injury all increase your risk of tinnitus.
When to see a Doctor
Some people aren’t very bothered by tinnitus. For other people, tinnitus disrupts their daily lives. If you have tinnitus that bothers you, see your doctor.