Have you ever experienced the pleasure of travelling in a plane? It’s amazing, the loud sound that you hear while take-off and landing is actually an adrenaline stimulant for a first-time traveler. Do you enjoy loud music, and the pleasant sound of nature, Yes! Of course, everyone enjoys it. Fortunate are you when you hear such sounds from an external source. But if you hear continuous sounds like – ringing, hissing, clicking, buzzing, roaring or a simple nonstop beep sound that seems to originate from your own head or ears, and from no external source than you may have to rush to your doctor. Hearing such noises mean that you might have tinnitus.
Tinnitus- Ringing in your ears
Tinnitus is a condition where you hear sounds like ringing, hissing, clicking, buzzing, roaring or a simple non-stop beep either in one or both your ears. It may sound like a continuous noise or sporadic sounds. Hearing Tinnitus is not a disease it is actually a symptom of underlying conditions. Hearing loss may or may not be linked to tinnitus. One in five people are reported to have tinnitus, which primarily affects older people. It is estimated that 22.7 million adults in the US have tinnitus. Tinnitus can be heard either in the outer ear, the middle ear, or in the inner ear. It is a sign that something is amiss in the auditory system, which comprises the brain’s sound-processing area, the ear, and the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. There are many causes of tinnitus, listed here are a few common causes:
- Blocking of ear canal by ear-wax
- Exposure to loud noises that causes noise-induced hearing loss
- Hearing loss due to aging
- Harm to the inner ear’s nerve ending
- Hole or rupture of the ear drum
- Issues with the jaw joints may also result in noises made when moving the jaws
- Side effects of some medications, such as aspirin.
- Rigidity of the bones of the middle ear
- Blockage in the Eustachian tube dysfunction that connects the middle ear to the upper throat
- Ear infections like otitis media or labyrinthitis
- Brain tumor
- The inner ear fluid build-up that results in Meniere’s disease
- Thyroid abnormalities
- Hormonal change in women
Tinnitus can also result from other conditions such as allergies, tumors, diabetes, heart problems, blood vessel issues, high or low blood pressure, and head injuries. The precise cause of tinnitus in the majority of patients is unknown.
Types of tinnitus
Subjective and objective tinnitus are the two different forms of the condition.
Just 5% of patients with tinnitus as a whole have objective tinnitus. Others can hear the sound produced by objective tinnitus by listening closely near the ears or using a stethoscope. Either a muscular or blood vessel problem is the source of the sound. Since the sound is in sync with the heartbeat, it is referred to as pulsatile. It is possible to identify the cause of objective tinnitus and treat it with medication or surgery.
About 95% of tinnitus patients have subjective tinnitus, which is the most common type. Subjective tinnitus is associated with all known ear disorders and is audible only to the patient. Even if the loudness and pitch of tinnitus are the same in two people, the causes may differ greatly.
Treating tinnitus
A physical examination of the ear serves as the basis for an initial diagnosis. The physician may examine the patient for ear wax buildup or any other infection that may have contributed to the tinnitus. In order to determine the cause of your tinnitus, he will also ask you about your past medical history, any recent infections, and the medications you take. If your doctor cannot pinpoint the precise cause of your tinnitus, he may refer you to an otolaryngologist (an ENT specialist). Your ENT will examine your head, neck, and ears to determine the cause and determine whether tinnitus is connected to hearing loss.
Finding the underlying cause of tinnitus makes treating it easier. Your doctor may advise you to speak with the physician who prescribed the aspirin and seek his advice on stopping it, if tinnitus is the result of taking it. If the tinnitus is brought on by other medical conditions, such as diabetes, allergies, or changes in blood pressure, treating the underlying cause may solve the problem. But like many other cases, your doctor may concentrate on reducing tinnitus if the cause is not fully identified.
It may be advised for those who experience both hearing loss and tinnitus to wear hearing aids. Tinnitus sufferers will hear more of the sounds around them when they wear a hearing aid. Tinnitus is less noticeable when you wear a mask, a tiny device that fits behind your ears and plays continuous background noise. Maskers and hearing aids together could be very beneficial.
Relax, as stress can worsen your condition. Since tinnitus is frequently linked to depression, seeing a counsellor can help you manage it.
Counselling and maskers or other techniques are used in tinnitus restraining therapy. Although it’s not an instant solution, practice and time will undoubtedly help.
Although there are no specific medications for tinnitus, treating the underlying cause of the condition has helped many patients. Tinnitus can be effectively treated with anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-convulsants, and minimal amounts of anesthetics.
Preventing tinnitus
You should shield your ears from loud noises to prevent tinnitus. If you must work near loud noises, put on earmuffs or earplugs. If using earphones to listen to music, turn down the volume.
Monitor your blood pressure and limit your salt intake because it impedes blood flow. Steer clear of stimulants like cola, tobacco, tea, and coffee. Engage in regular exercise to manage your blood pressure. Recognize how to stay calm, manage stress, and prevent fatigue.
Living with tinnitus
Tinnitus in many cases doesn’t go away completely. Tinnitus sufferers might need to develop coping mechanisms. A few tips to help you manage your tinnitus include learning how to make it less bothersome and seeking counselling. You can manage your anxiety and depression with the aid of counselling. Sharing your experience with those who are going through the same thing as you is beneficial. Join a support group and make sure the facilitator is a doctor so you can verify the accuracy of the information being shared. Discover how to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus; the more information you have, the less bothersome it will be.
