What is tinnitus? Tinnitus Causes and Treatment
Tinnitus is the condition of hearing ringing, ringing, buzzing, whistling, or other sounds in the ears. So what causes Tinnutus? Let's see together.
Tinnitus or a ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling, or other sensation in the ears. The noise may be intermittent or continuous and the loudness may vary. This can be even worse, especially when there is very little background noise. That's why people are most aware of this and complain about trying to sleep in a quiet room at night.
In rare cases, the sound progresses in sync with your heart. This condition is called pulsatile tinnitus.
However, in severe cases, tinnitus can cause people to have difficulty concentrating and sleeping. As a result, it may reflect negatively on work and social relations and cause psychological distress.
Although tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, it does not cause loss and hearing loss does not cause tinnitus. Some examples of tinnitus are caused by infections or blockages in the ear, and the tinnitus may go away when the underlying cause is treated.
What Causes Tinnitus?
The most common cause of tinnitus is prolonged exposure to loud sounds. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss. Noise causes permanent damage to the sound-sensitive cells of the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear. Carpenters, pilots, musicians, or those who work with other loud equipment, or those who work in jobs where they may be constantly exposed to loud noise, are at risk. A single exposure to a sudden extremely loud noise can also cause tinnitus.
Other reasons;
- Earwax or ear infection
- Some drugs; Nearly 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, antidepressants, antibiotics.
- Natural aging process
- Meniere's disease
- Otosclerosis
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Anemia
- Thyroid
- Diabetes
- Head and neck injuries
- Alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine
How Is Tinnitus Treated?
Your doctor will do a hearing test based on your medical history. They will also examine your head and neck and look inside your ears. They may ask you to tighten your jaw, move your eyes, and move your neck, arms, and legs. CT or MRI scans may also be done if needed.
When the doctor finds the source of the problem, he will apply the most appropriate treatment method for you.
Other Treatment Options;
- Age related hearing aids
- Sound maskers
- Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises
Source: WebMD
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