This bothersome symptom is a common cause for individuals seeing their doctor. It usually means there is some underlying disorder which, in most cases, is not life threatening. Tinnitus is not related to any psychiatric condition, but it can cause people to have difficulty concentrating and sleeping. It may eventually interfere with work and personal relationships, resulting in psychological distress.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus (TIN-ih-tus) is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. It is a symptom of an underlying condition such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder. About one in five people with tinnitus have bothersome tinnitus which distresses them and negatively affects their quality of life and/or functional health status.
Tinnitus involves the annoying sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. Tinnitus symptoms include these types of phantom noises in your ears:
• Ringing
• Buzzing
• Roaring
• Clicking
• Hissing
The phantom noise may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears. In some cases, the sound can be so loud that it can interfere with your ability to concentrate or hear actual sound. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go.
What causes tinnitus?
Several health conditions can cause or worsen tinnitus. In many cases, an exact cause is never found.
A common cause of tinnitus is inner ear cell damage.
Other causes of tinnitus include other ear problems, chronic health conditions, and injuries or conditions that affect the nerves in your ear or the hearing center in your brain.
In many people, tinnitus is caused by one of these conditions:
• Age-related hearing loss. For many people, hearing worsens with age, usually starting around age 60. Hearing loss can cause tinnitus. The medical term for this type of hearing loss is presbycusis.
• Exposure to loud noise. Loud noises, such as those from heavy equipment, chain saws and firearms, are common sources of noise-related hearing loss. Portable music devices, such as MP3 players or iPods, can also cause noise-related hearing loss if played loudly for long periods. Tinnitus caused by short-term exposure, such as attending a loud concert, usually goes away. Long-term exposure to loud sound can cause permanent damage.
• Earwax blockage. Earwax protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria. When too much earwax accumulates, it becomes too hard to wash away naturally, causing hearing loss or irritation of the eardrum, which can lead to tinnitus.
• Ear bone changes. Stiffening of the bones in your middle ear (otosclerosis) may affect your hearing and cause tinnitus.
Other causes of tinnitus include head and neck injuries, blood vessels disorders, hypertension, alcohol, caffeine, some antibiotics, antidepressants, aspirin, diuretics and cancer medications.
Diagnosis
If you have tinnitus you should see your doctor. Your doctor will examine your ears, head and neck to look for possible causes of tinnitus. He or she will arrange for a number of tests to determine the cause of tinnitus. In many cases, the cause of tinnitus is never found. Your doctor can discuss with you steps you can take to reduce the severity of your tinnitus or to help you cope better with the noise.
Treatment
Although there is no one ‘cure’ for tinnitus, there are several options available that can help patients with tinnitus.
If tinnitus is due to a health condition, your doctor may be able to take steps that could reduce the noise. In some cases, white noise may help suppress the sound so that it is less bothersome. Your doctor may suggest using an electronic device to suppress the noise.
Tinnitus can be so bothersome that it causes depression or anxiety. Additionally, in a patient with depression and/or anxiety, it may be very difficult to tolerate the additional burden of tinnitus. Consultation with a psychiatrist or psychologist, with treatment directed to the underlying condition, can be beneficial.
Drugs cannot cure tinnitus but, in some cases, they may help reduce the severity of symptoms or complications.
Dietary supplements for tinnitus treatment are frequently advertised on the internet, television and radio. There is no evidence that any of these supplements, including ginkgo biloba, melatonin, zinc, lipoflavenoids, and vitamin supplements, are beneficial for tinnitus.
Conclusion
Tinnitus is a very common symptom occurring more frequently as we get older. It is often described as the sensation of hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling, or other sounds. The noise can be intermittent or continuous and can vary in loudness. If you have this symptom see your doctor for further evaluation and treatment.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG, is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty-two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
