Causes of Tinnitus

Posted by sanjay on Friday 17 Apr 2009

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Tinnitus is a disorder wherein an individual hears a buzzing noise in either one or both of their ears. The sound may be a soft buzzing noise or it can fluctuate in tone. It may be a persistent sound or may turn on and off. Tinnitus is not so much an illness as it is a symptom of a more serious condition. The underlying condition may be age-related hearing loss, an injury to the ear, or a circulatory problem. Tinnitus is remedied by treating the primary underlying condition.

Tinnitus can appear in one of two forms – objective and subjective. When a person has objective tinnitus, not only will they hear the buzzing sound in their ears, but other people can also hear the buzzing sounds. With subjective tinnitus only the person suffering from the condition will hear the buzzing sound. When a person hears a buzzing or hissing sound in their ears, the rhythmic sound often coincides with the beat of their heart. As a result, the person is unable to sleep at night or concentrate on their daily activities.

What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be caused by many situations such as the person’s age, their environment, injuries, and medical conditions. Tinnitus is commonly exhibited among the elderly as a sign of age-related hearing loss. It can also occur if the person has excess earwax blocking the inside of the ear.

Other factors such as an exposure to loud noises, stress, depression, and certain medications can lead to tinnitus. It can also occur if a person sustains injuries to their head or neck. Tinnitus can be the result of damage to the inner ear, injury to the auditory nerve or to the hearing region of the brain. Tinnitus is also linked to tumors in the head or neck, especially a benign tumor called acoustic neuroma. The buzzing sound can be caused by Meniere’s disease which is a disease that affects the inner ear, high blood pressure, or a malformation of the ear bones or capillaries in the ear.

What are symptoms of tinnitus?
A person with tinnitus will hear a variety of sounds in their ears; some of which may be heard by others depending on the type of tinnitus the person has. The patient may complain of a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking sound in their ears.