Also called tinnitus tinnitusnot caused by external sounds. No one else can hear the sound, except in rare cases by a health care provider. For example, tinnitus may occur after short-term exposure to power tools or fireworks, but if it doesn’t resolve, it’s a cause for concern.
Tinnitus often occurs as a result of another health condition. Common causes include hearing loss, earwax buildup, medications, diabetes, head trauma, and certain ear conditions. Treatment for tinnitus depends on the cause. If you have symptoms of tinnitus, talk to your health care provider.
Peter Daisley/Getty Images
tinnitus symptoms
Tinnitus affects people differently. Sometimes it’s faint and sometimes it’s loud. The pitch of the sound may also change. It may be erratic or appear to be in sync with your heart rate. The types of sounds include:
Buzzing, roaring, whistling, humming, clicking, hissing, squealing
Some people constantly hear hissing, whistling, or buzzing sounds. Some people experience intermittent sounds or hear sounds when they move their head in certain directions. It can also be high-pitched or low-pitched and may be associated with sounds caused by earwax, hair, or skeletal changes.
Types of tinnitus
People with tinnitus usually experience one of the following types of symptoms:
Subjective tinnitus is associated with sounds that are not external. Only you can hear it. It is often caused by nerve damage or ear problems. Objective tinnitus is associated with sounds that occur in or near the ear. Your health care provider may be able to hear the sounds during the test.
Other effects
In addition to physical symptoms, some people experience the psychological effects of tinnitus. These can cause distress and have a significant impact on quality of life.
Several studies have identified pathways in the brain that are common to both tinnitus and stress-related disorders. This finding suggests that further research is needed to understand how tinnitus and mental health may interact with each other, or which may cause each other. I’m doing it.
cause
Tinnitus is caused by a disorder in the auditory system. This may involve the ear, the cochlear nerve that connects the brain to the inner ear, and neurochemicals and areas of the brain important for processing sound.
Causes range from simple to complex. For some people, there may be no obvious reason for the sounds they hear. Common causes of tinnitus include:
hearing loss
Tinnitus is often associated with the following symptoms: sensory nerve (inner ear) hearing loss. This type of damage results from damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways that connect the inner ear to the brain.
This problem often occurs as a result of noise-induced hearing loss, either a single event or over a long period of time, such as work-related exposure.
Tinnitus can also be caused by age-related hearing loss. This loss of normal hearing usually begins around age 60 and affects both ears. It often begins with the disappearance of high-frequency sounds, such as whistles or squeals.
blockage of the ear canal
Blockage of the ear canal is often caused by earwax blockage. When earwax builds up, it can clog the ear canal and cause tinnitus.
Possible causes of middle ear obstruction include:
health condition
Tinnitus is often associated with certain health conditions. These include:
Pulsatile tinnitus causes a rhythmic type of tinnitus that may be associated with vascular disorders such as narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or high blood pressure that affects the skull (skull). If your tinnitus is pulsating, tell your health care provider.
medicine
Tinnitus can occur as a side effect of over 200 medications. These drugs are called ototoxic. In many cases, the problem disappears when you stop taking the drug. These drugs include:
process
Treatment for tinnitus depends on the cause of the problem and how it affects you. Temporary tinnitus may resolve without treatment. If your tinnitus is related to a health problem, treat that problem first.
If you still have tinnitus, the goal of treatment is to reduce it and help you live with it. Depending on your age, medical history, current condition, and medications, you may benefit from one or more of the following treatments:
Hearing aids that correct hearing loss and allow the brain to hear external sounds other than tinnitus Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that can help you manage your symptoms and learn how to reduce the impact tinnitus has on your quality of life Wearable or tabletop sound Acoustic nerve stimulation, a generator that masks tinnitus with soft, soothing sounds, such as white noise or crashing waves. Technology that uses a device that stimulates and desensitizes changes in neural circuits in the brain Protects you from sound Cochlear implants that let in outside sounds and mask ringing noises Anti-inflammatory technology that uses devices to stimulate and desensitize changes in neural circuits in the brain Depressants and anti-anxiety drugs
Some people find that traditional treatments don’t give them the results they want and want to try alternative approaches, such as acupuncture or biofeedback. These treatments have no evidence of success or may provide symptom relief in some people.
Consult your health care professional before trying common natural remedies for tinnitus.
Complications and risk factors
Tinnitus often occurs as a result of an underlying medical condition. Although the condition itself is not harmful, it can affect your quality of life and mental well-being.
Tinnitus is associated with mental health problems such as:
Moderate to severe depression Anxiety Schizophrenia Post-traumatic stress disorder Cognitive decline and dementia in older adults
The following factors can increase your risk of developing tinnitus:
Exposure to loud noises without ear protection Age Tolerance to high noise levels Recurrent ear infections Hearing loss Smoking
Always wear ear protection when in loud noise areas. Causes of hearing loss include rock concerts, power tools, and fireworks.
diagnosis
If you have tinnitus, your health care provider (such as an audiologist or audiologist) will likely start with a general physical and hearing exam to diagnose your condition.
Depending on the results of these preliminary tests, your provider may recommend the following tests:
When should you see a health care provider?
If your tinnitus persists for more than a week, contact your health care provider. Ask for an evaluation of any types of sounds that interfere with sleep or concentration.
In some cases, tinnitus is associated with the risk of mental health problems. If you experience feelings of depression or anxiety, report them to your health care provider right away.
summary
Tinnitus is a common problem that occurs as a result of hearing loss or damage to the areas that control hearing. It may also be related to a health condition or medication side effects. If it lasts for more than a week, it becomes a problem.
Treatment includes finding out whether the problem is related to an underlying health condition, medication use, or other causes. Chronic tinnitus may improve with hearing aids or other hearing aids. Treatment, including counseling, can help you cope with the challenges of living with problems.