Symptoms & Common Causes of Tinnitus

1. Symptoms & Common Causes of Tinnitus Tinnitus is a disease associated with the ears. The patients of tinnitus complain of hearing various sounds including ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, or other such annoying sounds. The sound can be regular and constant or intermittent. The intensity and loudness of the noise also vary. This sound is not outside, it originates from within a person’s own head. This sound feels the loudest when there is a quietness in the surroundings. Thus, a patient may find it difficult to sleep at night. In rare scenarios, the sound may be in sync with heartbeat. A person may find ways to live with it by ignoring the sound. But in some cases, patients may have trouble concentrating and sleeping. Symptoms of Tinnitus One of the most persistent symptoms of tinnitus is the ringing sound that one hears in the ears. The sound does not originate from the outside world rather the sound comes from within the head. In the majority of the cases, the sounds are heard only to the patients. But in extreme cases, the doctor may hear the sounds by placing a stethoscope in the ear. Rarely, a person suffering from tinnitus may experience hearing loss. But hearing loss is not much common. More than often, tinnitus itself may be a symptom of another underlying health issues. Causes of Tinnitus Tinnitus itself is not a disease but a symptom of another disease not necessarily associated with the ear. Below are some causes of tinnitus. Hearing Loss With growing age, most people suffer from a loss in their hearing abilities. With this gradual loss, the inside noises become more prominent. Exposure To Loud Noises

2. Exposure to loud noises may damage the hair cells inside ears which may lead to tinnitus. Regular exposure to very loud music or other kinds of noises is dangerous to the ears. Wax If the wax builds up in the ear and isn’t removed for a long time, it causes hearing problems and tinnitus. Wax should be removed from time to time to prevent such conditions. Ear Infections Ear infections and diseases such as labyrinthitis, secretory otitis, otitis media may trigger tinnitus. Other diseases like vertigo and multiple sclerosis may also be the reason for ringing in the ear. Perforated Eardrum The perforated eardrum is a condition where the eardrum might have holes inside it. The perforation causes hearing issues. Perforated eardrums are mainly the result of exposure to sudden pressure during certain activities. Some may be born with a perforated eardrum. The condition causes tinnitus in some patients. Stress And Anxiety Sometimes excessive stress and anxiety may also force some people to notice tinnitus noises. While there is restlessness due to anxiety, the in-head noises become noticeable. Other Causes Very rarely, tinnitus is caused by head injuries and high blood pressure in certain people. In some cases, people find the presence of tinnitus after specific medication as a side effect of it. Other causes include acoustic neuroma, diabetes, and thyroid problems. If you are feeling irritated by these tinnitus noises, you should consult your doctor and let them diagnose if there is some underlying disease. You can also try to reduce the noises with the help of white noise devices.