Tinnitus is marked by ringing or buzzing noises in the ear without any clear reason for it, and can indicate a more serious underlying condition such as tumors or an infection. Tinnitus can be constant, intermittent, or pulsating. It is most always a chronic condition, but can be managed successfully to reduce its irritating effects.
Tinnitus comes from the Latin word tinnitus which means ringing. It has been a peculiar problem for thousands of years with many varieties of treatments resulting from its existence. This condition can either be unilateral meaning one ear or bilateral meaning both ears.
Tinnitus can be divided into two specific types; Subjective refers to the type where only the person affected can hear it, while Objective refers to the type that a physician can hear upon examination. Subjective Tinnitus is very challenging to treat as the person affected is the only one able to hear the noise.
Tinnitus is caused by:
Obstruction due to fluid or wax buildup Ear infections Damage to the eardrum or the little bones in the middle ear Aspirin overdose Meniere’s disease Brain tumor Aneurysm Traumatic head injury, such as a severe blow to the head.
A physician will diagnose which type, if any, of Tinnitus you suffer from through examination, learning medical history and performing specific testing such as an audiogram.
Other important tests:
Auditory brain stem response (ABR), tests the hearing nerves and brain pathways CT scan MRI scan to rule out a tumor
Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Tinnitus; however it can be managed by introducing other noises into your environment that can take the focus off the annoying buzzing in your ears. Oftentimes, it can alleviate itself on its own; however there are some cases where it is a lifelong affliction.
Prevention:
If you suffer from a chronic disease such as hypertension, it is very important that you keep your blood pressure within the normal limits as well as stay away from stress and take your prescribed medications exactly as directed. One medication used in fighting this disease is aspirin, if not taken at the proper dosage, it can result in Tinnitus.
The noise of tinnitus can also be lessened by not concentrating on it. The more you think about it the more you hear it and the louder it gets. It can be masked by having some other sound in the room such as a fan, or anything that will cause another sound in the room other than that incessant ringing or buzzing you hear. This “white noise” is very effective in decreasing the sound of ringing in your ears.
Consult with your health care provider to rule out other causes for this condition. Adding a little white noise to your surroundings can make you forget about your tinnitus in a beautiful way.
Barb Hicks is an established writer and registered nurse who loves to share her knowledge about Signs Of Hearing Loss with others. She has more articles including Conductive Hearing Loss Treatments on Clivir.com.
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