Tinnitus

Tinnitus is often described as “ringing” or “buzzing” in the ears, but it can be any sound or combination of sounds. Tinnitus results from nerve activity that the brain interprets as “sound.” Everyone experiences Tinnitus sometimes. Some people experience constant or near-constant Tinnitus.

Tinnitus happens when we consciously hear a sound that does not come from any source outside the body. It is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying problem.

The noise is usually subjective, meaning that only the person who has Tinnitus can hear it.

The most common form is a steady, high-pitched ringing. This can be annoying, but it does not usually indicate a serious condition.

Symptoms:

Tinnitus is a non-auditory, internal sound that can be intermittent or continuous, in one or both ears, and either low- or high-pitched.

The varying sounds have been described as whistling, chirping, clicking, screeching, hissing, static, roaring, buzzing, pulsing, whooshing, or musical.

The volume of the sound can fluctuate. It is often most noticeable at night or during periods of quiet. There may be some hearing loss.

Treatment:

The first step is to treat any underlying cause of Tinnitus.

Prompt care for an ear infection

Discontinuing any Ototoxic medications

Causes:

The most common cause of Tinnitus is damage and loss of the tiny sensory hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear.

This tends to happen as people age, and it can also result from prolonged exposure to excessively loud noise. Hearing loss may coincide with Tinnitus.

Other possible causes are:

Head and Neck injuries

Ear infections

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Stiffening of the middle ear bones

Tinnitus that sounds like a heartbeat may be more serious. It could be due to an abnormal growth in the region of the ear, such as a tumor or an abnormal connection between a Vein and Artery.

Risk factors:

Tinnitus is a common problem in the general population, especially among those with certain risk factors.

These include:

Noise exposure from work, headphones, concerts, explosives, and so on

Smoking

Gender, as men are affected more than women

Hearing loss

Age, as older individuals are more susceptible