Home :: Tinnitus

Tinnitus - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment For Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus ?

Tinnitus is a phenomenon of the nervous system connected to the ear, characterized by perception of a ringing or beating sound with no external source. This sound may be quiet, or loud enough to drown out all outside sounds. In simple language - when you are hearing bells and it is not even Sunday, you could have tinnitus, an unusual symptom that causes a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears. This is an especially persistent condition, and it shouldn't be taken lightly.

Tinnitus is the name for these head noises, and they are very common. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this discomfort. Tinnitus may come and go, or you may be aware of a continuous sound. When the ringing is constant, it can be annoying and distracting.

Causes of Tinnitus

Most tinnitus is caused by a problem with the "sensorineural" system, which is involved in transmitting signals from the inner ear to the brain. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss. For this reason it is more common in older people who have age-related hearing loss. Some of the possible causes of tinnitus are listed below

• Ear wax.
• Acoustic neuroma.
• Anemia.
• Otosclerosis, a condition in which the small bones of the middle ear become immobile.
• High blood pressure.
• Stress and depression.

Tinnitus may also be caused by allergies, high or low blood pressure (blood circulation problems), a tumor, diabetes, thyroid problems, injury to the head or neck, and a variety of other causes including medications such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, sedatives, antidepressants, and aspirin.

Symptoms of Tinnitus

The sensation of tinnitus is the sound of high-pitched whistling or buzzing, ringing or hissing. It can also be a quite complex sound, like the roar of an ocean. The sounds may be constant or come and go. The sound can be in one or both ears, or perceived elsewhere in the head. It is equally common in men and women and can be associated with almost any disorder of the ear.

People who have tinnitus sometimes have an underlying problem, such as an ear infection, Meniere's disease, or even heart disease or anemia. That's why people with tinnitus need to see a doctor as soon as possible

Home remedies for the treatment of Tinnitus

• Stay away from stimulants. Doctors have found that drinking alcohol or coffee or smoking cigarettes can make tinnitus worse. For some, giving these things up can significantly reduce the noise. Helps to get relief from tinnitus
• Stop taking aspirin. If you take aspirin regularly, you many want to consider switching to another pain reliever, like ibuprofen. Taking aspirin on a regular basis has been shown to increase the risk for tinnitus and also to make the symptoms worse.
• Protect you ears. Exposure to loud sounds ­ caused by everything from rock concerts to lawnmowers - can make tinnitus worse. Try to avoid loud environments whenever possible. Or, if like most people you can't do that, if you wear ear plugs it should significantly reduce the volume. You can purchase different types at a drugstore, or a doctor can prescribe something that will filter out harmful noise while still allowing you to hear.
• Eat well to protect your hearing. Research suggests that a healthy diet may help protect you from tinnitus and other types of hearing damage. You may want to ask your doctor about magnesium, as well. Some research has suggested that people who don't get enough of this mineral may be at risk for hearing problems.
• Turn on a distraction. Having constant noise in your ears can be annoying, to say the least. Doctors often recommend that people "mask" the sound of tinnitus by giving themselves other things to listen to - playing the radio softly at night, for example, or turning on a fan.

Prevention

• Get adequate rest and avoid fatigue.
• Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises.
• Decrease your intake of salt. Salt impairs blood circulation.
• Stop worrying about the noise. Recognize your head noise as an annoyance and learn to ignore it as much as possible.

Back to ear problems section