Tinnitus, the perception of sounds like ringing, buzzing in the ears without an external source, can be annoying and distracting. It affects many, caused by things like loud noises, stress, or health issues.
Types of Tinnitus
- Subjective Tinnitus: Only the person with it can hear the sound.
- Objective Tinnitus: Rare, sometimes a doctor can hear it during an exam.
Common Causes
- Loud Noises: Prolonged exposure damages inner ear hair cells.
- Hearing Loss: Often due to aging and related to tinnitus.
- Ear Blockages: Wax, infections, or fluid can affect hearing.
- Health Conditions: Such as Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma, or high blood pressure.
- Medications: High doses of aspirin or antibiotics can cause tinnitus as a side effect.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
The main symptom is hearing a constant or occasional sound that varies in pitch and intensity. Healthcare pros may do a physical exam, hearing tests, and imaging to find the cause.
Treatment & Management
There’s no single cure, but these can help manage tinnitus:
- Sound Therapy: Background or white noise can mask the ringing.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps with emotional responses to tinnitus.
- Medications: Can reduce symptoms in some cases.
- Lifestyle Changes: Reducing stress, avoiding loud places, and using hearing protection can ease symptoms.
Tinnitus usually isn’t serious, but if it continues or affects daily life, see a healthcare professional to find treatments and causes.